Reflection-2 weeks of SIM lab

We've done a couple of SIM labs now and I've honestly loved both of them. I feel like we've been pretty successful in both SIM labs. In the first SIM lab we went through a CPR scenario of a substitute teacher unconscious in the classroom. My group was made up of all of the returners, so that they could test our skills from last year. We came into the scenario, checked his breathing, and began CPR. About four minutes into the scenario we transferred him on to the scoop stretcher and carried him to the gearney and continued CPR until we were transferred into the hospital setting. That scenario lasted 10 minutes, not a great time, but not the worst and we managed to keep him alive, but knowing we could do better we tried again. This next time we began CPR a lot faster than we had previously and transferred him on to the gearney much faster. The whole scenario only lasted a total of 4 minutes and we saved his life once again. It was extremely successful, and there was great communication.

The next SIM lab was a laceration on the right forearm and an inversion low ankle sprain, 2nd degree. When we first got into the SIM lab and began the scenario it felt awkward and forced, but as we began to get a little more comfortable, communication opened up greatly and we really worked well as a team. I helped a few classmates in getting Eileen some stitches, and I did a couple of tests on Eileen as well to see whether it was an ankle sprain or a ligament rupture of some sort. Communication was great other than a couple of mishaps with treatment of the patient, and I think that if we continue to work in these groups we can get really good at communication and rapport with the patient. I hope that in the coming weeks we can start to learn more about specialized tests and training we can do to help diagnose the patient, and I hope my group can start to communicate better and work as a team.