On Thursday, February 1, UM SRH Emergency Services hosted pediatric simulations for emergency department team members in Cambridge and Easton. This multidisciplinary event included Emergency Services nurses, physicians, security team members, Women and Children’s Department teams, as well as pharmacy and respiratory therapy team members.
As part of University of Maryland Medical Systems and UM SRH’s journey to becoming a High Reliability Organization (HRO), the pediatric simulations align with the System’s goal to achieve Zero Harm and embrace new ideas, principles, practices and tools that will, over time, reshape the care we deliver to patients and each other.
Tisha Thompson, DNP, RN, NE-BC, Regional Director of Emergency Services, was approached by Cyndy Wright-Johnson MSN, RN, Director for Maryland’s Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program at the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS), who wanted to collaborate on a pediatric simulation opportunity for UM Shore Regional Health. Logistics and planning were coordinated by Della Daniels BSN, RN, Clinical Nurse Educator, Emergency Services at UM SRH.
“The goal of participating in this valuable program was to expose our UM SRH team to scenarios that will enhance their pre-existing knowledge and skills when caring for this population,” said Thompson.
The EMSC Program simulation addresses the unique needs of children within the emergency medical system, providing a focal point for statewide resources and networking on emergency care for children and their families. The EMSC program provided all the equipment and scenarios, and also debriefed each scenario with UM SRH team members.
The EMSC Program is responsible for the development of statewide guidelines and resources for pediatric care, review of pediatric emergency care and facility regulations, coordination of pediatric education programs, collaboration with other agencies and organizations focused on childhood health, and illness and injury prevention. It is integrated into all levels of EMS Services at the local, regional and state levels, and includes: Pediatric Education; Prevention Initiatives; Specialty Care Facility Designation; Pediatric Base Stations and Medical Consultation; and Quality Management.