In this session, key representatives will collaboratively present the design and program development of simulation centers as well as their associated outcomes. Michael Seropian, MD, FRCPC, President and CFO, SimHealth Consultants, Todd Buerger, AIA, ACHA, Principal of BSA LifeStructures and Michael Castor, PE, Senior Director Engineering Services, BSA LifeStructures, will provide a brief historical overview of simulation centers, sharing their insights and experiences related to the planning and implementation steps required for a comprehensive and successful simulation center design.

From this presentation, the audience will learn how the proper multidisciplinary approach can help advance academic, medical and healthcare institutions, what kinds of issues to consider when discussing levels of fidelity, ways to create spaces that promote recruitment and retention, how to integrate the built environment with curriculum planning for a multidisciplinary simulation center and how to run an effective planning and design process, which engages multiple stakeholders.

BSA LifeStructures will share their architectural and engineering perspectives on two distinctly different simulation centers, which are Clarian Health/Indiana Universitys Fairbanks Hall, a 30,000 square foot high fidelity simulation center, and WakeMed Health Systems Medical Simulation Center, which is a 3,400 square foot, hospital-owned facility. SimHealth Consultants will discuss their experience and involvement with medical simulation projects as related to assessment and design of simulation programs, implementation and training of students and staff, establishment of simulation curriculum and facility and audio-visual design.

When first assessing a simulation center program, a clear plan is needed. Simulation centers are often complex projects involving multiple users with no established protocol for the built environment. This requires an integrated planning approach, where all stakeholders, decision-makers and designers are brought together early on in the process. This presentation will address the difficult questions, which need to be asked, involving operations, shared resources, and the incorporation of a curriculum-driven mission within the facility. Space programming will evolve from the answers to these questions, defining a prescribed balance of clinical, educational and administrative needs.

In order to better understand what simulation centers are capable of achieving in medical advancements, it is helpful to first see how they evolved. A brief history of simulation will be shared, revealing that medical simulation has been a slow adopter. The modern simulation centers evolution will then be explored, emphasizing its primary purpose to provide a highly visible, secure and safe space for individuals and interdisciplinary teams to train through simulation. The end results use experiential learning to improve patient outcomes, ensure patient safety, reduce medical errors and enhance the skills of health professionals.

Varying levels of fidelity within medical simulation will be discussed, ranging from full-body mannequins to computer animation/ task trainers and robots. The low fideltity:high fidelity continuum of realism and technical complexity will be explored, sharing pros and cons of different approaches. Real life simulation scenarios will be discussed, including cardiac resuscitation, delivering babies, anesthesia complications, surgical operations and nursing care. Images of various simulation centers will be used to provide the audience with visual examples of simulated spaces and interdisciplinary environments.

In conclusion, the presentation will focus on educational outcomes of medical simulation: reduction in training and procedural times, increased performance on skill testing and team practice enhancements in performance.