Sun4 - Creating a Cost-Effective Simulated Participant Program that follows Standards of Best Practice.

The implementation of an evidence-based simulation requires a trained person to run the manikin and an educator to observe and prepare a planned debriefing experience. In many organizations, both tasks are completed by a single person who is also responsible for set-up and reset of the simulation. This type of program is not sustainable and does not follow the INACSL standards. Demonstration of the design of a Simulated Participant (SP) Program at a large, accredited simulation center that encompasses trained SP’s to set-up, run the manikin, and reset each simulation for over 600 undergraduate and graduate students each semester. Information will be shared about implementation of ASPE standards, quantitative, and qualitative data from students (SET-M) , SP’s, and faculty. This program holds training sessions each semester, has dedicated policies and procedures for SP’s, and has a peer feedback model for the evaluation of performance. The budget information will demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of the use of SP’s and how to get buy-in for the creation of a program from key stakeholders. It is essential that all simulation programs, whether using SP’s as patients or manikins, implement an SP program to ensure they are meeting the standards and provide the highest quality simulation for the students based on current research. This presentation will empower similationists to advocate for the needs of their simulation program through presentation of research data, theory, and budget to demonstrate their ability to lead a successful and sustainable simulation program.