Training for “What If?”

Simulation Training Keeps Emergency Department Ready for Everything

Imagine a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hitting Connecticut and causing a rapid influx of injured patients to local emergency departments. Disasters like that might seem unlikely in these parts, but hospitals need to prepare for everything. In April, over a dozen Connecticut Children’s team members participated in an emergency preparedness training exercise for just that scenario, led by Carla Pruden, MD, emergency medicine physician and Medical Director of Connecticut Children’s Simulation Program.

The simulation exercise was conducted using a Disaster in Seconds Training Kit, which the Emergency Department was able to acquire, thanks to funds donated by grateful patient families. With life-size “Mani-Kids,” detailed disaster scenarios and moulage (tattoos representing injuries), the kit allows Connecticut Children’s team members to practice the skills and decision-making needed to respond should a disaster strike. How should patients be triaged? What’s the best use of rooms and space? What security resources will be needed?

“Mani-Kids” Allow for More Frequent Training

“Training is critical to maintaining an organized approach to crisis resource management. While it is engaging to have youth volunteers participate in these exercises, this isn’t always feasible. Having multiple ‘Mani-Kids’ readily available provides us with the opportunity to train more frequently, as well as the ability to represent injury patterns that might be challenging to recreate on their volunteer counterparts,” said Dr. Pruden. “With the flexibility to use the ‘Mani-Kids’ independently or to augment our volunteer exercises, these will have a significant impact on the critical training needed to mitigate the potential chaos that can ensue during multi-casualty events.”

If you’re a grateful family who received high quality care in Connecticut Children’s Emergency Department, please make your gift to help others.