Improving Patient Safety Locally and Teaching Doctors and Nurses from Japan
The UH Translational Health Science Simulation Center (THSSC) is the only simulation center of its kind in Hawaii. It is an innovative partnership between the University of Hawaii at Manoa Nursing, HMSA Foundation, Hawaii Pacific Health, The Queen’s Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii.
UH THSSC brings real-life scenarios to the classroom so that students can gain the experience, confidence and skills they need to provide quality care. The center integrates state-of-the art equipment, electronic patient records and practices currently used by the state’s leading medical centers. As a statewide resource, the center supports lifelong learning opportunities for Hawaii’s practicing nurses and the entire health care team.
Kapiolani Medical Center’s Commitment to Improving Patient Safety
One hundred twenty nurses and doctors from Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children participated in a multiple training session focused on improving outcomes and safety of high risk infants. As part of a hospital-wide initiative to improve patient safety, the NICU team pre-identified two areas they wanted to focus on for their simulation exercises: high risk neonatal codes and delivery of extremely low birth weight infants. The simulation training sessions focused on strengthening interprofessional development and increased communication skills between the NICU team.
Physicians and Nurses from Japan Travel to Hawaii to Learn about Healthcare Simulation
Fourteen physicians and nurses from Japan attended a 4-day simulation training program at UH Manoa Nursing. Organized by the National Hospital Organization, physicians and nurses from all over Japan learned about topics such as using simulation as a teaching methodology, hands on active learning, scenario writing, validation of scenarios, debriefing and interprofessional education. Participants traveled back to Japan and returned to their agency or university introduce or implement simulation learning techniques.
Seitoku University Cultural Exchange with Hawaii Nursing Students
In February 2016, 88 undergraduate nursing student from Seitoku University trained in Hawaii for more than one week. Held in conjunction with UH Manoa Nursing’s Global Public Health Program, Seitoku students participated in disaster planning, simulation for acute respiratory and cardiac conditions, and had an opportunity to visit local hospitals. They toured Hawaii hospitals to learn more about healthcare in the United States. Both UH Manoa Nursing and Seitoku students participated in team based learning (TBL) activities with simulation. Undergraduate students from N450 Community, Public, and Global Health Nursing, and the Seitoku students participated in a cultural exchange activity where they talked about global health problems. In a photo/voice activity, students discussed health concepts and presented photos of a health condition in their home country to facilitate dialogue. The cultural exchange also featured the Seitoku students performing a Japanese dance and the UH Manoa Nursing students sharing a Hawaiian chant.