Every spring, the WISER team looks forward to hosting the annual Safar Symposium! The Safar Symposium gives us an opportunity to recognize leading work in the realm of healthcare and promote simulation-based education programs to support patient safety initiatives. This symposium honors the legacy of Dr. Peter Safar, founding chair of the Safar Center for Resuscitation Research at the University of Pittsburgh and a pioneer in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and critical care medicine.
This year, we were honored to have healthcare and simulation experts share their research and experiences involving best practices relating to simulation and patient safety. Dr. Charles Lin, an anesthesiologist specializing in orthopedic anesthesia and acute pain medicine at UPMC Passavant, shared how the incorporation of simulation elevates surgical airway management and patient safety. Dr. Lisa Sinz, a professor of Anesthesiology & Surgery at West Virginia University School of Medicine explained how simulation transformed the approach of Safety I and Safety II. Dr. Joseph Goode, an Associate Professor and Vice-Chair for Research and Scholarship at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, is an expert in healthcare simulation methodologies and presented on leveraging deliberate practice for targeted clinical experiences in a nurse anesthesia training program. Dr. Lisa Barker, a practicing emergency medicine physician at the OSF St Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, discussed how simulation can be used for prospective hazard analysis. Lastly, Moriah Adams and Rachel Honodel, nurse anesthesia students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, shared how simulation-based training courses increase anesthesia provider knowledge, competence, and confidence in ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blockade. Thank you to all the presenters and attendees who helped make the 21st annual Safar Symposium a success, and we can’t wait to see you back at WISER!
The curriculum team has also been hard at work sharing our newest Patient Safety Report to the friends of WISER! This report is a testament to our mission statement of providing the best possible simulation-based healthcare programs that support and improve patient safety outcomes across the health system. From the onsite assessment of floor staff and response teams, to competency verification and skills training, WISER is integral in ensuring providers deliver the best possible care to patients. To get an online copy of our newest Patient Safety Report, follow this link.