Transitioning from a BLS to ALS Ambulance with the Use of Simulation

34 Pages·2013·2.15 MB·English

by  Will Kyle

Transitioning From a
BLS to ALS Ambulance,
With the Use of Simulation
Travis Spier – RN, NR-Paramedic, CCEMT-P
Director of Simulation and Pre-hospital Care
Sanford Health – Sioux Falls, SD
Disclosures
!  Spier – none
Greetings from Sioux Falls, SD
Today's Objectives
!   Review the assessment strategy of transitioning
volunteer EMT providers into Paramedics
!   Review the activities and scenarios that
incorporated simulation into the learning plan
!   Review comments captured from the participants
Request
!  Assist a volunteer EMS service with their
transition from BLS to ALS licensure
!  Utilize simulation to assist new paramedics
in clinical judgment and skill development
!  Provide lifelike experiences and mentoring
to help develop clinical competency in new
paramedics
Partners
!  Hospital owned volunteer BLS ambulance
–  Less than 15 total members/volunteers
–  911 call volume: 400 responses per year
–  Interfacility transfers: 450 requests per year
Partners
!  Tertiary Receiving and Teaching Hospital
–  Established simulation program
–  Regional EMS education facility
Planning:
Agency Assessment
!   Desire to provide a higher level of care in a rural
community
!   Incorporate a business model to capture lost
revenue from interfacility transfers
!   Need for ALS competency and experience within
a low volume market
!   Build clinical confidence in participants through
the use of simulation
Planning:
Overcoming Challenges
!   All of the participants were volunteer EMTs
advancing to the paramedic level
!   Clinical and field experience varied
!   Learning disparity within the group
!   Financial commitment to fund the project
!   Sustaining the program post grant
Planning:
Intended Goals for the Project
!   Provide realistic simulated patient experiences for
various age groups with a sampling of illnesses
and injuries
!   Build confidence and competence of the new ALS
providers
!   Provide a structured learning plan that improves
clinical judgment
!   Increase the level of care provided in the
community