Simulation & The Wild Frontier

When you think of Alaska you may think of the great wilderness, adventure or hunting, and fishing. Though these all are prominent features of the great state, there is much more to Alaska and the surrounding area. Hospitals, clinics, EMTs, caregivers, pilots, and Search & Rescue, serve those visiting the rural environment and the community that make up this region of the world. 

It is important that these individuals work together to ensure there is teamwork and good communication in critical situations. Team training, education, and simulation are essential aspects of the success of such operations and can play a large role in the overall outcome of the individual patients they serve. 

Utah has many of the same challenges in caring for patients around the state due to the large outdoor enthusiast community, rural facilities and the five National Parks found within its borders; these include Zions National Park and Arches. Such similarities provide a large opportunity for partnership and the sharing of information to better patient and community outcomes through the use of simulation.

The Intermountain Healthcare Simulation Consortium had the amazing opportunity to collaborate with the Alaska Simulation User Network in conjunction with Laerdal Medical to share content, best practices and scenario development in their annual gathering of simulation experts. This is a relationship that will continue to grow in the future benefiting simulation experts and programs in both Utah and Alaska.