The Simulation Center at Fairbanks Hall

The Challenge
The Simulation Center at Fairbanks Hall wanted to enhance realism in their education environment. Their solution? Form a collaboration between teams and facilities - and add simulation.

Jointly operated by Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University School of Nursing and Clarian Health, the simulation center's mission is to provide a replica of the patient care environment where health care providers can learn to apply cognitive, psychomotor and affective skills in an interdisciplinary approach.

The Customer
Clarian Health, Indiana University School’s of Medicine and Nursing are dedicated to excellence in patient care, education, research and service.

The Journey
In 2005, it was recognized by all 3 partners that an integrated facility would benefit each partner financially, as well as in their overall strategic planning. This initiated the formation of an interdisciplinary governance and operational committee that have overseen all planning and construction  of the Simulation Center.

All located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, the partners are interconnected via the Clarian Health People Mover (monorail) with the Simulation Center at Fairbanks Hall residing at the half way station between all facilities.

The Discovery
Working from a framework centered in patient safety, they focus on teamwork, patient first and quality care. In addition, like competencies are shared by all partners and are utilized as the thread for the joint mission in developing the Simulation Center.

The Solution
The 30,000 square-foot, high-fidelity simulation center is jointly operated by Clarian Health and the Indiana University schools of Nursing and Medicine. The purpose is to advance clinical education for nursing, medicine and allied health. It provides simulation and skills education for all healthcare personnel and staff.

The Implementation
They have hired 11 simulation center personnel with skills sets that compliment the global mission and established champions for each educational partner to carry out interdisciplinary curricular development. In addition, a simulation academy has spawned out of these operational initiatives to further develop curriculum and research opportunities.

"This collaborative model has truly worked on our campus and has drawn all healthcare providers into a common purpose of improved patient safety for the State of Indiana," said Scott Engum, MD, Director of the Simulation Center at Fairbanks Hall.

The Results
The Simulation Center at Fairbanks Hall will take virtual-reality learning to an unprecedented level and produce more effective practitioners in all varied health care disciplines. Thousands of healthcare providers each year will learn to deal with team dynamics, emerging technology, and sudden crises before they are thrust into the clinical workplace or residency.

The Simulation Center
Clarian Health is the largest healthcare network in Indiana with six Indianapolis area hospitals and seven statewide partner facilities. Named among the "Best Hospitals in America" by USNews & World Report for five consecutive years, Clarian Health is the result of a cooperative effort of three downtown Indianapolis hospitals to combine resources, research, staff and administrative procedures for the greater benefit of its patients and the community at large, www.clarian.org. Indiana University School of Medicine in the country, www.medicine.iu.edu. Indiana University School of Nursing is one of the largest multipurpose nursing schools in the country and simulation is critical to their education, www.nursing.iupui.edu.