Target Audience

DMU alumni.

Description

This interactive, simulation-based educational activity gives participants opportunities to apply clinical knowledge and decision-making skills in realistic patient care scenarios. Participants will engage in a simulated obstetric delivery involving telehealth-supported care and practice point-of-care ultrasound skills. The activity emphasizes clinical assessment, communication, teamwork, and the practical application of technology in patient care.

Educational Need

Healthcare professionals are increasingly expected to incorporate telehealth and point-of-care ultrasound into clinical practice while maintaining effective communication, clinical judgment, and patient safety. Obstetric emergencies can require rapid assessment, coordination among healthcare professionals, and communication among providers who may not be physically present at the bedside. Similarly, point-of-care ultrasound can provide valuable clinical information, but clinicians need opportunities to develop and reinforce their ability to obtain and interpret ultrasound images appropriately.

Simulation provides a safe environment for clinicians to practice these skills, recognize potential gaps in their current approach, and receive feedback without placing patients at risk. This activity addresses the need for continued practice in telehealth communication, obstetric clinical decision-making, and point-of-care ultrasound application through realistic, hands-on scenarios.

Learning Objectives

Telehealth Obstetric Delivery Simulation

1. Identify clinical considerations and challenges associated with managing an obstetric emergency through telehealth.
2. Demonstrate effective communication with the patient, bedside team, and remote healthcare team during a simulated obstetric delivery.
3. Apply clinical decision-making skills to assess and respond to changes in maternal and fetal status during a simulated delivery.
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of the telehealth encounter and identify opportunities to improve communication, coordination, and patient care.

Ultrasound Training 

1. Identify relevant anatomical structures using ultrasound during a simulated clinical encounter.
2. Demonstrate appropriate ultrasound probe positioning and image acquisition techniques.
3. Apply ultrasound findings to a simulated clinical scenario to support clinical assessment and decision-making.
4. Recognize common challenges and limitations associated with obtaining and interpreting ultrasound images in clinical practice.

Instructors

Kevin Carnevale, MD
Professor,  Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences

Randal Foster, BS, RN, CHSE
Simulation Specialist,  Simulation Center, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences