Mater Education strengthens community partnerships at new Brookwater Clinic
In March the Mater Education team worked in partnership with the Queensland Ambulance service to conduct a simulation at the new Fresenius Medical Care Dialysis Clinic in Brookwater, prior to its opening in early April.
The simulation involved testing the efficiency and effectiveness of processes in a medical emergency at the clinic and to ensure that local community services were familiar with the clinics location.
Melanie Barlow, Mater Education Director of Simulation and executive member of the Australian Society of Simulation in Healthcare, said conducting a process simulation is vital to the health and well-being of patients.
“The purpose of this particular simulation was to replicate and amplify a scenario of a patient who required a transfer to hospital. Involving the Queensland Ambulance Service was vital to ensure the right processes were established for managing a prompt and efficient hand over.”
Dr Michael Burke, Mater Director Renal and Dialysis, said the new centre allows patients in the Springfield area access to dialysis close to home.
“The scenario of a patient who clinically deteriorates whilst on dialysis allowed the clinical team the chance to observe and refine practices to ensure they deliver high quality patient care at the new centre.”
Within the simulation, the patient required resuscitation and an opportunity for the nursing and medical team to work together with the Queensland Ambulance Service to stabilise the patient. The patient required a transfer from the Brookwater renal dialysis clinic to Mater at South Brisbane. The simulation provided a unique opportunity for team building between the clinic staff and Queensland Ambulance which had great benefits in fostering strong relationships and trust between the different teams.
Jan Tooth, Officer in Charge, Queensland Ambulance Service, said opportunities like the simulation are invaluable to the Queensland Ambulance Service.
“This exercise allowed us to identify and resolve any issues before the centre opened. Staff worked together to gain a much greater understanding of each other’s skill sets and protocols.”
Simulation is used in clinical education and training and also to observe and refine practices and protocols to identify areas of strength and weaknesses prior to a new service being opened.
In 2014 Mater Education formalised an Affiliate Partnership with the world renowned Center for Medical Simulation (CMS) in Boston, USA. The partnership sees Mater Education co-deliver highly sought-after CMS courses for clinicians and educators interested in developing their knowledge and skills in using Simulation as a Teaching Tool and Advanced Debriefing.
