Student Handbook 2023-2024

Clinical Simulation Institute (CSI)

The goals of the Clinical Simulation Institute are to:

Provide a student-centered learning environment;

  1. Enhance and promote patient safety and quality health care by advocating use of simulation in clinical education of nursing students and health care professionals;
  2. Enhance clinical competence of nursing students and health care professionals;
  3. Assess and demonstrate competence of undergraduate and graduate nursing students and health care providers;
  4. Maintain continuing competence of health care providers by using clinical simulation for continuing education;
  5. Improve productivity and efficiency of nursing students and health care professionals in clinical settings;
  6. Encourage research leading to improvement in clinical education of health care providers.

1. Clinical Simulation Institute Use

  1. Priority will be given to Goldfarb School of Nursing clinical courses.
  2. Faculty will work with the simulation staff to schedule activities in the Institute.
  3. Open Lab times will be communicated by individual course faculty based on lab availability.

2. Simulation Models

  1. Static educational models may be checked out through Simulation staff for use in community service projects or for course assignments. Checked out items must be returned to the Simulation staff within two working days.
  2. Students wishing to utilize lab equipment for purposes of skill practice may contact the Simulation staff for assistance.

3. Simulation Center Dress Code

We believe that in order to enhance the development of the professional nurse’s role and to increase the realism of clinical simulation, it is important for the faculty and students to dress appropriately; therefore, the following guidelines will be adhered to:

  1. Faculty/Staff teaching in the labs will wear clinical uniform, a lab jacket and name tag;
  2. Students practicing in the clinical simulation labs should adhere to the following:
    • Required: PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE (clean and neat)
    • Open Lab Hours: Business casual attire with lab jacket and GSON badge
      • Graduate Students: Business casual, lab jacket, GSON badge and scrubs
      • Barnes-Jewish College: School uniform and GSON badge
      • Hair tied back
      • White or black, solid color, needle-resistant, non-slip shoes. Heels and toes must be covered. Socks must be worn. (OSHA Approved)
      • Watch (with second-hand display)
      • Uniform Pocket:
        • Kelly clamp
        • Pencil
        • Scissors
      • Limited jewelry (per Barnes-Jewish Hospital Dress Code policy):
        • One ring on each hand (wedding set acceptable)
        • One set of earrings
        • NO other body piercing (no tongue studs; nose studs; eyebrow, etc.)
        • NO visible offensive tattoos
  3. While in the Simulation Labs, clinical prep area or clinical setting, students and faculty are not allowed to wear in the lab the following:
    • Jeans, t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies
    • Ball caps
    • Open toe shoes, crocs, etc.

Failure to follow the dress code may result in dismissal for the day’s experiences, which will result in a failure for the day’s activities.

4. Simulation Facility Procedures

Students should not attempt to operate the Simulators as this should be done only by personnel who have been trained by the Clinical Simulation Institute Staff.

  1. Only course faculty and Clinical Simulation Institute personnel are permitted in the control room during simulations. Students and other course participants should not be in the control room without permission from Clinical Simulation Institute staff.
  2. Do not attempt to repair or troubleshoot a malfunctioning manikin. Request help from the Clinical Simulation Institute Staff.
  3. Cellular phones and similar electronic devices should be set to the “off” position while they are in the Simulation Institute to reduce the risk of emissions that may interfere with or damage the simulators and medical equipment.
  4. Ink pens, food, and gum are not permitted in the simulation labs.
  5. Do not spill fluids over any component inside simulator manikin torsos, since this could damage the unit and might also present a possible hazard for the operator.
  6. The manikin chest must be kept dry. Special attention should be taken when using the IV arm, urinary system, or bleeding control module.
  7. Do not introduce any fluids except airway lubricant in small amounts into the manikin’s esophagus or trachea.
  8. Do not place artificial blood, moulage, or other materials on the manikins’ skin without first verifying with the Clinical Simulation Institute staff that the materials will not damage the manikins.
  9. Participants should wash their hands before touching the simulator manikins. Gloves should be worn for all patient care procedures that require gloves.
  10. Ink will permanently stain the simulator manikins’ skin. Ink pens or felt tip markers should not be used in the simulator rooms, or in any other setting that puts them in close proximity to a manikin. Pencils are available for making notes and charting events. Participants should not write notes on their gloves because ink may transfer to the manikins’ skin.
  11. Photocopied papers should not be placed on, under, or near the manikins to prevent the risk of ink transfer. Iodine or other staining medications should not come into contact with the manikins.
  12. Facility users should report any damage to equipment or operating problems to the Clinical Simulation Institute Staff as soon as possible.
  13. Computers in the control room should be used only to operate simulators and run audiovisual debriefing equipment. These computers should not be used for Internet access. Software should not be loaded on these computers without the approval of the Clinical Simulation Institute Staff because of the risk of incompatibilities with simulator or AV equipment software.
  14. Facility users are expected to leave the Clinical Simulation Institute in order. Please dispose of any trash in appropriate containers and ensure flow of medical gases to all equipment is turned off completely.
  15. Facility users are responsible for following Standard Precautions. Sharps and syringes are to be disposed in appropriate containers. Anyone sustaining a needle-stick, or any other type of injury must complete an injury report.
  16. After use, facility users are expected to turn suction off.
  17. During some training activities that involve use of full-scale simulation and/or live actors, (for example—crisis resource management training, team adaptive training, or stress exposure training) confidentiality issues may require the Clinical Simulation Institute to be temporarily off-limits to personnel who are not course participants. During these periods, signs limiting access to the Clinical Simulation Institute will be posted at all entrances.

Note: Changes to College policies, programs and procedures will be posted on the College website and Blackboard, and such changes will supersede printed information.