/EINPresswire.com/ The cardiothoracic team of North Shore University Hospital wins the SimWars competition for the second year in a row after saving the “life” of a high risk scenario patient represented by an advanced computerized mannequin.
The cardiothoracic team at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Medical Center had to work quickly to determine what was ailing a 44 year old patient. The patient had been having lunch at a restaurant and was rushed to the emergency department after collapsing in a bathroom and striking his head. The patient had a long list of complaints including radiating back pain, numbness in the legs, stabbing chest pain along with profuse sweating and high blood pressure. One nurse noted a powdery white substance under the nose of the patient.
The team had to work quickly to determine whether there was a closed head injury while ruling out heart attack and possible cocaine use.
While the event was actually a scenario being played out in a mock emergency department during the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System Patient Safety Institute’s annual SimWars, it still represents real-life events that take place within the medical system. During SimWars, clinical teams face off and are presented with simulated medical emergencies. Each team is evaluated on their performance including communication, team work and clinical decision-making skills.
For the second year in a row the competition was won by the North Shore-LIJ cardiothoracic team who quickly diagnosed the patient (a high-tech mannequin capable of responding and speaking) with an aortic dissection.
“Winning the SimWars competition for the second year in a row is a great source of pride for both our team and our unit,” said Bill Higgins, RN, CCRN-CSC, who works on the cardiothoracic unit. “Dedicating time to prepare for patient care simulations is fostered by our nurse manager (Donna LaConti, RN, BSN, CCRN) and nurse clinician (Nathania Francis, RN). Every member of our CTU shares in this accomplishment, as the high standard of professionalism set by our peers encourages the continual improvement of clinical proficiency and teamwork.”
According to Barbara DeVoe, RN, DNP, CFNP, and director of PSI’s clinical education programs “This sophisticated competition simulates the fast pace and complex issues faced by clinicians in a real ED. SimWars highlights not only our top clinical performers but also our commitment to patient safety and the benefits of practicing life-threatening medical scenarios in a risk-free environment.”
It’s not the first win for cardiology at North Shore-LIJ. In 2011, Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York, a division of North Shore-LIJ, was designated by USNews.com as a top 50 provider of pediatric services in a number of areas including #40 in Pediatric Cancer and #43 in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in the nation.
This hospital was among 76 facilities ranked in one or more of the 10 pediatric specialties in the 2011-12 version of Best Children’s Hospitals. Read the full rank details at Health.USNews.Com.
About the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York:
For the fifth consecutive year, US News & World Report has ranked the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York as among the nation’s best children’s hospitals. Cohen Children’s Medical Center, under the parent umbrella of North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System, is the preeminent children’s hospital on Long Island and is the largest provider of pediatric services in the state of New York, including pediatric cardiac surgery.
Established nearly 30 years ago, the pediatric hospital has evolved continually to keep pace with a growing population. The vision of Cohen Children’s Medical Center is to become a national leader, recognized for providing outstanding family-centered, quality-focused and academically-based care while conducting research committed to finding cures and innovative treatments for childhood diseases.
For more information, visit www.northshorelij.com/ccmcny/home
Monica Gonzalez
North Shore-LIJ
516-465-2657
http://www.northshorelij.com/ccmcny/home
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