(47) Simulated Chaos, Real Learning: Preparing Today’s Healthcare Students for Tomorrow’s Emergencies

Abstract : Disaster Day 2024 marked the return of an interprofessional collaboration event following the hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic at XXXXX. Jeffries Simulation Theory was applied to design a comprehensive disaster simulation exercise, providing participants with a realistic environment to hone their emergency response capabilities. This interprofessional simulation-based experience was centered on a mass casualty incident resulting from an active shooter event. Learners, including those from nursing, medical, and pharmacy (n=353), engaged in a realistic and challenging environment that tested their triage, clinical management, communication, and coordination skills.
The event was structured to include an icebreaker, prebrief, scenario, and debrief. The icebreaker session facilitated group bonding and role assignment, ensuring learners were prepared for the intense simulation ahead. Each group of learners rotated through the simulation, managing four different patients with varied critical conditions.
Facilitators from the various colleges oversaw the groups, provided guidance, and ensured the timely execution of tasks. The simulation was designed to emulate real-life scenarios with high-fidelity simulators and simulated clients whose conditions could change dynamically based on the learners' interventions.
The debriefing session, led by faculty teams, was a critical component of the event, allowing learners to reflect on their performance, receive feedback, and complete an evaluation survey. This debriefing aimed to reinforce the learning objectives, which included proper triage and prioritization, effective communication and teamwork, and the efficient use of resources. Disaster Day 2024 proved to be an invaluable educational experience, fostering the development of essential skills required in emergency and disaster management.

Please include a short summary of your presentation that highlights why an attendee would want to participate in your session.: Disaster Day 2024 at XXXXX returned post-COVID-19, providing 353 healthcare learners with a realistic environment to hone emergency response skills. Using Jeffries Simulation Theory, the event included high-fidelity simulations of a mass casualty incident, rotating scenarios, and critical debriefing sessions, focusing on triage, communication, and teamwork in a controlled simulation setting.