In late March of 2020 the Clinical Simulation Center's operations were greatly reduced to implement work-from-home for staff, accommodate COVID-19-specific ICU care training, and make CSC medical equipment available in case of urgent need. As Michigan Medicine cases subsided, the CSC Executive Committee put together guidelines in order to resume educational activities in June.
The CSC has begun a phased reopening with health and safety of staff and learners at the center of the new policies which align with Michigan Medicine's guidelines, in particular those from Infection Prevention & Epidemiology. At the heart of the new CSC operational norms are six-foot safe distancing recommendations, density controls, contact limits and cleaning protocols of equipment and the environment. Additional guidelines include:
- Universal masking, hand washing, equipment cleaning protocols
- Hands-free check-in, check-out and assessments using QR codes and personal devices has been launched along with hands-free Sim Tech/IT support stations
- Instructor support to assist with identifying and developing alternatives, such as streaming, independent practice, on-line content & assessment, etc.
- Safe research protocols related to simulation-based research
- Communication to all instructors and educational leadership with e-mail template for learners on “What to expect at the CSC”
Learning activities are prioritized for any pandemic-response training, Michigan Medicine required courses as well as certification activities for Michigan Medicine health professionals such as ACLS/PALS, Critical Care Nursing, Safe Patient Handling, bedside procedures and operating room safety.
The CSC faculty and staff will continue to adapt to integrate COVID-19 considerations as they continues the vital work of training students, staff and faculty in order to fully simulate the new realities of health care delivery in a pandemic environment.
Documentation of the CSC's New COVID-related policies and procedures is available on our Policies page.
