Using Simulation in Infection Prevention and Control

Session Description: Simulation-based training in healthcare is a key educational tool that can be used to improve patient outcomes, hone clinical skills, promote interprofessional collaboration and communication, and lower healthcare costs. The use of simulation-based training in infection prevention and control has been notably underutilized. However, it is an effective way to provide both clinicians and non-clinicians—from nurses and physicians to students, family members, and ancillary staff—with low-risk opportunities to safely enhance their skills while practicing infection prevention measures.

As Infection Preventionists trained in healthcare simulation through an interprofessional fellowship program within our healthcare system, we aim to educate the audience on the importance of simulation within infection prevention and control and its intersection with quality improvement. Using realistic scenarios encountered in infection prevention, we will demonstrate the application of simulation as a technique that can employ multiple modalities and learning systems, including low fidelity simulations (such as task trainers for sterile technique when inserting Foley catheters and central lines) and high-fidelity simulations (such as manikins, standardized patients/actors, and virtual reality). As debriefing is a vital educational piece of the simulation experience, we will explore how to debrief in a way that is both conducive to learning and psychologically safe to the learners. Additionally, we will discuss how to build a curriculum surrounding the simulation-based training that engages the learners. Throughout the presentation, we intend to share our experiences and important takeaways we learned throughout the yearlong training program. To close the presentation, we will involve the audience in a low fidelity simulation experience that they can, in turn, implement in their own facilities.

Through this presentation, we hope to involve the audience in a thoughtful discussion on how simulation-based training can improve outcomes in infection prevention and control.