25 Feb AORN Pilots Simulation Learning Tool for Perioperative Nurses
New Modules Should Bridge the Education Gap Between the Classroom and the OR
UPDATE: Read the PeriopSim Periop 101 – Pilot Results
(Denver, Colo.) February 25, 2016 –The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) has added PeriopSim™, a new simulated learning module, to Periop 101 in a six-month pilot program that will evaluate whether simulation learning is effective as an additional educational approach. By using simulation learning activities in perioperative practice, nurse users, who are new or returning to the profession, can demonstrate their skills before entering the operating room. Periop 101 is an online education program based on the evidence-based Guidelines for Perioperative Practice.
PeriopSimTM was created by Conquer Mobile as an iPad application with input and guidance from AORN. The piloted content includes instrumentation modules and procedure modules for both inguinal hernia and lap-chole. Instrumentation modules act like flashcards and procedural modules use real surgical video to guide learners step by step through a surgery, prompting for instruments at every stage.
“Our hope is, by adding simulation to this learning platform, our Periop 101 educators and administrators will observe enhanced performance and, potentially, a reduction in training time,” said Linda Groah, MSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, FAAN, AORN’s Executive Director/CEO. “With this pilot, we want to determine if simulation is an effective education technique to move nurses safely from the classroom to their responsibilities as a perioperative nurse actively involved in patient care activities in the perioperative setting.”
“We are excited to make PeriopSim available to all Periop 101 clients and evaluate how they enjoy learning through simulation,” remarked Angela Robert, CEO of Conquer Mobile. “We aim to bridge the gap between class and the OR, helping nurses to be more confident and competent as critical members of the surgical team” she explained. “PeriopSim is a great fit for Gen Y and may help to attract and retain this new generation of nurses.”
PeriopSim has been developed in close collaboration with medical experts including surgeons, nurses and nurse educators to ensure accuracy and realistic learning outcomes. The product has recently been tested in academic research with neurosurgical residents learning how to perform Burr Hole brain surgery at the annual Canadian Neurosurgery Rookie Camp and with perioperative nurses in the ‘100 Nurses’ academic research study in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
About AORN
AORN represents the interests of more than 160,000 perioperative nurses by providing evidence-based research, education, standards, and practice resources—including Guidelines for Perioperative Practice — to enable optimal outcomes for patients undergoing operative and other invasive procedures. AORN’s 40,000 registered nurse members manage, teach, and practice perioperative nursing, are enrolled in nursing education, or are engaged in perioperative research.
About Conquer Mobile
Conquer Mobile is a specialist in education technology with a focus on medical simulation training. PeriopSimTM is a simulation training tool for the iPad that helps surgical staff to prepare for procedures safely, outside of clinical time. The company has a strong medical advisory group drawing together surgeons, neuroscientists, nurse educators and nurses. Conquer Mobile is based in the Health Tech Innovation Hub, part of Innovation Boulevard in Surrey, Canada.
About PeriopSim
PeriopSim is an iPad app for clinicians who need to learn surgical instruments and procedures. PeriopSim enables surgical staff to practice safely before surgery. PeriopSim is available as a free preview version on the App Store. It is designed to be purchased by educators as an institutional purchase.