Ralph H. Johnson SIM Lab takes part in JBC MARE
The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System recently sent healthcare specialists from their Simulations Laboratory to assist the 628th Air Base Wing Medical Airmen in medical litter training and Dual Use Vehicles (DUV) familiarity.
This Medical Assess Response Exercise (MARE), which is being held in preparation of Joint Base Charleston’s upcoming 2024 Air Show, was held March 15, at the Joint Base Charleston Medical Group. With an estimation of 30,000 attendees each day for this year’s Charleston Air Show, the Low Country Health Care Coalition, Joint Base Charleston, and Charleston County requested the Ralph H. Johnson integrate readiness expertise with the base’s medical specialists.
“During a mass casualty, the expedient transfer of patients out of harm’s way is critical,” said Paul Langevin, Ralph H. Johnson VA HCS SIM Lab Manager. “The AMBUS can transport up to 9 litter patients at one time. The training reviewed how to gather casualties onto litters, load and unload, and where medical supplies are located on the AMBUS.”
The Simulations Laboratory sent four of their personnel over to facilitate this training. All who helped train the Airmen were Disaster Emergency Medical System (DEMPS) certified and conducted a Medical Response Exercise in how to properly move wounded patients using medical litters. They also demonstrated the proper method to load and unload patients into transport vehicles under a variety of circumstances and conditions.
“The sim lab is an entity of very experienced nurses and technicians, who bring a broad spectrum of hospital and field experience,” Langevin said. “Working in conjunction with Airmen from the Joint Base fosters a continued partnership of readiness training. These go-to-war skills are invaluable when the call to deploy arises. The sim lab brings a hands-on training to the field environment, enhancing their ability to respond quickly and efficiently.”
Training units like the Ralph H. Johnson VA SIM Lab are formed in conjunction with the national VA Simulation Learning, Evaluation, Assessment, and Research Network (SimLEARN). SimLEARN is the VHA's program for simulation in health care training. Serving the largest integrated health care system in the world, SimLEARN provides an ever-growing body of curricula and best practices that improve health care for our nation's Veterans. The use of innovative technologies in a safe learning environment enhances diagnostic, procedural and communication skills to support quality care and the best possible outcomes.
Integrated training exercises, like this most recent collaboration between Joint Base Charleston and the Ralph H. Johnson SIM Lab, fall in line with the SimLEARN mission of leading the growth and support of simulation opportunities throughout the VA enterprise by leveraging assessment tools and partnerships to build innovative solutions which advance Veteran care.
The SIM Lab personnel are scheduled to assist in providing medical support coverage during the upcoming Charleston 2024 Airshow in a continuing pursuit of collaboration and growth for the benefit of Veterans and the local Charleston community.