Skills and Simulation Lab

• What is Simulation

Simulation is a bridge between theoretical knowledge and skills and attitudes in the context of clinical training. It is used for education, acquisition of skills, assessments, research and health system integration to ensure patient safety. It is a bridge between classroom learning and clinical practice. It ranges from training of intramuscular injections over manikins to high fidelity cardiac and obstetric simulators where a simulated clinical scenario related to common abnormalities can be created through computerized platforms to enhance student’s psychomotor skills, critical thinking and clinical decision making skills in managing such conditions. These virtual activities will ensure patient safety in real life environments. Another advantage of simulation based learning is systematic learning as compared to opportunistic learning in hospitals, where students learn based on the availability of clinical cases. In simulated environments, students are free to make mistakes, receive feedback sessions and debriefings, and they are protected from the risk of acquiring serious infections in the form of needle stick injuries and others. Debriefing involves a reflective, critical thinking analysis of a simulation exercise. It is an active process, driven by faculty and students, involving the identification and sharing of both the facts and the emotions associated with a simulated experience. The focus of the debriefing should be a positive experience that encourages students to critically think about what was done, what was not done and what could be done differently in the future. Debriefing will be facilitated by faculty and / or the Incharge of Skills lab.

Faculty are expected to provide the Director of Medical Education with specific objectives, debriefing questions and list of supplies needed for a completed scenario. The scenarios will be prepared ahead of skills lab rotations by the faculty of relevant specialty and medical education department and will be included in log books of students. The students should complete the reflection section of log book after the end of skills lab rotations.

• Accessibility of skills lab and safety guidelines

The following guidelines for the smooth running of Skills and Simulation lab are presented and the students are expected to follow these.

• All students are directed to keep all their belongings in a separate room dedicated for this purpose before entering the laboratory.
• No student is allowed to take bags, pens, pencils or mobile phones into the skills lab. They are strictly prohibited to write anything on the manikins, tables, walls and blends etc.
• Needles and blades used in skills lab should not be reused and should be disposed of in the nearest sharps container.
• Stethoscopes and torches will not be provided in the laboratory and will be arranged by the students themselves.
• Soiled linen should be immediately sent to laundry.
• Lights should be turned off upon leaving the lab area, and doors securely pulled up and locked.
• The exterior of the manikins and task trainers in the skills lab are to be cleaned with mild soap and water, rinsed and dried after every use.
• All tubes, catheters, dressings, tape, etc. must be removed and the area cleaned appropriately upon completion of simulated exercises.
• Manikins are to be left on the tables and not moved unless directed by the Director of medical education.
• All injection pads need to be squeezed of any fluid and left to dry.
• All drainage bags must be emptied, disposed of or cleaned appropriately for later use. All chairs should be pushed under the tables.
• Students who use the skills lab will keep the confidentiality and privacy of manikins and videos and are discouraged to make videos or take pictures of manikins and discuss the contents or student performance in the simulation scenarios. This rule will apply to all students who want to enter and use the skill lab manikins and any violation will result in disciplinary action against that student.
• Students are not to be left unattended by faculty or staff at any time.
• The doors to skills lab should be locked at all times when not in use.
• A first aid kit will be available all the time in the skill lab to be used in case of any injury to the student or faculty. The director of medical education will report all incident report to the Dean of the institute on regular basis.
• No food and drinks will be allowed in skills lab.

Students, staff and faculty must be aware that some of the equipment and supplies in the skill lab contains latex. Those with a known sensitivity / allergy to latex should contact the Director medical education. All users who suffer from a latex sensitivity / allergy should familiarize themselves with the policy and take precautions while using or handling latex parts by wearing non-latex gloves. Unauthorized persons are not allowed in the labs at any time.