The Department of Learning at Broward Health received private funding for the development of the A. J. Acker Virtual Hospital through the Broward Health Foundation. The Mission of the A.J. Acker Virtual Hospital is to provide continuous development of clinicians’ competence utilizing high-fidelity simulation (HFS) manikins to recreate real-life medical situations and emergencies. This evidence-based teaching strategy builds upon the critical thinking, interpersonal, and technical skills of the nurse and other healthcare professionals allowing for active participation, followed by reflective debriefing. Although the Virtual Hospital is physically located at Broward Health North to optimize easy access for the Broward Health System, the simulation center is managed and operated by the Broward Health Department of Learning.The primary goals of the Virtual Hospital are to enhance quality outcomes and promote patient safety for Broward Health. The focus is to improve team communication and collaboration among healthcare providers engaging in the assessment and evidence-based management of patients with a variety of medical problems. The Virtual Hospital is designed to mirror the appearance of a patient’s hospital room and can potentially provide education to 3,540 nurses annually. The Virtual Hospital provides a safe learning environment for these new and experienced nurses who are identified as needing to develop and enhance their critical thinking and/or technical skills prior to working with actual patients. The ultimate goal of the Virtual Hospital is to improve clinical outcomes and patient safety as measured and validated by CMS Core Measures and HCAHPS metrics as reported nationally.
The design of the Virtual Hospital consists of a simulation room with two High-fidelity Simulation (HFS) manikins (one adult and one pediatric), two beside mounted computers, a medication station and practice code blue cart and defibrillator. We are currently able to provide some limited obstetrical simulations as well. A separate classroom space is used for debriefing/simultaneous viewing and a control room. The Virtual Hospital is staffed by a Clinical Education Coordinator in the Department of Learning. Clinical Specialists from each of the Broward Health hospitals serve as subject matter experts and assist with competency sessions within the Virtual Hospital for their designated nursing staff.
The effectiveness and outcomes of simulation are evaluated using a variety of tools. One of the evidenced based tools evaluates how effective the scenario and/or debriefing session is in promoting understanding of the pathophysiology of the condition, enhancing critical thinking, decision-making and technical skills. A second tool was used to evaluate how often participants had encountered these
clinical situations in actual practice. A third tool was used to evaluate the nurses’ perceived clinical competence prior to and after participating in HFS. Results showed that 100% of nurses reported an increase in clinical competence.
Most recently, Broward Health Coral Springs has utilized the Virtual Hospital to support the re-opening of their Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The Virtual Hospital was the solution to ensure the nurses have current skills in the management of the acutely ill pediatric patient.
