Successful Development of a Simulation Center

Charles N. Pozner, MD

Medical Director, Neil and Elise Wallace STRATUS Center for Medical Simulation

Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Associate Professor of Medicine (Emergency Medicine)

Harvard Medical School

Boston, MA (USA)

Moscow, Russian FederationSeptember 27, 2012

Outline

• Managing the idea

• Working in parallel

• Program/Curriculum development

• Minimizing the barriers to success

Managing the Idea

• Getting support ($)

• Getting assistance

• Looking at how others are doing it

• Needs assessment

Obtain Local Support

• People that will help– Should understand the

politics– Should be smart and

connected

• Political allies

• Finances and other barriers (space)

Obtain Outside Help

• Experienced

• Successful

• Somebody you can work with

• Can collaborate and has flexibility

Needs Assessment• Critical if you’re going to be

successful

• Components– Market– Potential obstacles

• People• Politics• Space• Etc.

• Develop a vision, then a plan

Go Out and Look• Conferences

• Society list serves

• Successful centers

• Telephone conversations

• Publications

• NOT VENDORS!!!!!!!!!!!

Steal!

The Work Begins

• Two parallel tracks based on results of needs assessment as well as what you are certain will succeed1. Hire necessary staff

• Not a doctor or nurse• Must be hard-working, have some medical background, and

must be passionate• Only what you need to start up

2. Build out/equipment • Plans (building, AV, etc.)• Make it scalable• Equipment

– Don’t let your eyes be bigger then your brain– Only what you need to start up, AND BE SUCCESSFUL

Program Development

• Choose and develop first curriculum based on likelihood of success– Recognized institutional need– Eager, competent faculty– Ease of implementation– Doesn’t cost a lot

• Go out and run the program– Practice, practice, practice– Get feedback to make improvements– Be self critical– Get excellent at it!

Build on Success!

• Add programs only after you repeatedly and successfully implement your first program(s)

• Use a similar strategy– Take into consideration likelihood of success– Be critical and take feedback seriously

• Your success will be your biggest marketing tool

Barriers

• Money

• Time

• Technology

• Fear

Organizational StructureBoard of OverseersChief Medical Officer

Chief Operating OfficerChief Nursing Officer

Medical Director, Physicians OrganizationSVP Quality and Safety

VP, Surgical Services and ImagingVP Clinical Services Emergency Medicine

Chairman of EMChairman of

Consumer

Medical Director

Associate Medical Director

Director of Business Development and Strategic

Planning

Simulation Specialists Administrative Coordinator

Assistant Medical DirectorsOB/GYN

AnesthesiologyMedicine

Emergency MedicineSurgery

OrthopedicsPhysician AssistantsNewborn Medicine

Simulation Fellow

Director of Education

Surgical Nurse

Co-Operations Managers

Time and Technology

Fear of Change

Summary

• Get support and develop a plan

• Build staff and center in parallel

• Build on success

• Minimize the barriers

QUESTIONS?