Unitek College hosts Pediatric Mock Code Training

In May of 2019, Unitek College held a week of trainingsessions at their Fremont Campus. These events ran all day and consisted of25-minute simulations with different staff members. Known as Pediatric MockCode Training, the exercises took place within Unitek’s Fremont SimulationCenter. The goal was to provide nurses with an opportunity to engage inmultidisciplinary practice through a safe, controlled environment.

At Unitek’s Fremont Campus, 45 pediatric nurses completedtraining modules. These professionals came from two facilities in theChildren’s Health of Northern California network: the Children’s RecoveryCenter and the Saratoga Pediatric Sub-Acute Center. The training featuredpediatric-code scenarios performed on a high fidelity SimBaby mannequin. Theirprimary objectives included improvement in confidence, comfort level,resuscitation skills, and teamwork.

Research has shown that communication breakdowns frequentlyoccur in both mock codes and real-resuscitation efforts. These difficulties cancause delays or errors in the delivery of life-saving interventions. However,simulation training allows nurses to hone their skills without fear of patientinjury. Because mock codes typically include a collaborative approach, they canprepare healthcare professionals for real-life scenarios, improving the qualityof patient care overall.

A few days after the week of simulation modules, a codeoccurred in a hospital with an actual pediatric patient. During this emergency,nurses who completed mock-code training were able to effectively collaborateand provide competent, safe care in a timely manner, resulting in a positivepatient outcome. After witnessing these results, Unitek’s clinical partnersrequested additional training for their staff.