UACCB hosts simulated disaster exercise to train students

The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) conducted a large-scale multiple casualty incident (MCI) exercise on campus Wednesday, April 13, 2022. The interprofessional disaster response simulated a major event that required Nursing and Allied Health (NAH) students to work collaboratively to provide appropriate patient triage, transport, and care both in the field and in the simulated hospital. 

Hosted by the Division of Nursing and Allied Health at UACCB, this event included students from the health professions of Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician Basic (EMTB), and Paramedic (EMTP). The simulation took place on the UACCB campus with the NAH building serving as the mock hospital. Batesville Fire Department generously allowed the use of the Fire Training Building and Burn Building located adjacent to the campus to be used as the scene of the tornado. Simulated patients were placed in both buildings and outside for the EMS crews to find, triage, treat and transport from scene to the mock hospital where the nursing and CNA students and faculty were standing by for transfer of care. 

Approximately 150 people participated in this year’s training. The event type was selected due to actual risk of the same type of event occurring in the area. NAH faculty plan to provide this type of training and realism annually to all NAH students with a different scenario each year. 

To add to the realism of the training, volunteers had varying degrees of injuries from minor cuts and abrasions to major fractures and bleeding. The makeup and special effects were provided by the talented students of the UACCB Cosmetology department. Volunteers portrayed patients of all ages from newborn (manikin) to geriatrics. The volunteers were encouraged to act through the emotional stresses of a disaster response including panicking, screaming, crying and pleas for help. These sensory challenges led to a more realistic scene that challenged the students’ cognitively, physically, and mentally. 

“Removing students from their comfort zone in the classroom, led them to think in the moment, on their feet and make quick decisions about patients’ condition and care,” Jennifer Davidek, UACCB EMS Program Director said.  “That type of thinking and action is what EMS and Hospital care providers have to do every day in the real world. It is our hope that this event will help to prepare our students to work through challenges that they face once they graduate their programs.” 

Amy Bullard, UACCB Nursing and Allied Health Simulation Coordinator stated, “Working with other disciplines strengthens our ability to communicate, to be cordial and collaborate for the best patient outcomes. I was so excited to join Mrs. Davidek on this awesome project with the support from campus administration and so many community partners. One thing I love about Batesville is the collaboration you receive from the community- we have a lot of great organizations pushing to better our town.” NAH faculty worked diligently to promote an environment of safe learning and growth. 

“It is our goal to encourage students of all disciplines to communicate openly with each other as students so that when they work together post-graduation, they understand each other’s roles and scope of practice. Cooperation amongst all providers will only improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. At the end of the day, all of this training is to provide the best possible care to the patients of this community. I am proud of our students and our community for taking part in this simulation,” Davidek said.

UACCB would like to thank the following people and organizations for their help: UACCB participants including Administration, Maintenance, Cosmetology, faculty of NAH, Secondary Career Center students, and UACCB volunteer faculty and staff. Special appreciation also to all of the community partners that made this event possible, including Batesville Fire Department (Brent Gleghorn), White River Medical Center (Amanda Foust, Rowan Cairns, Jennifer Campbell, Alex Goggans, Jamie Myrick, Stacy Wright and Dr. Tyler Griffin), Vital Link EMS (Kenny Tosh and Kathy Lanier), ARCARE (Andy Nicholson, Jenny Keller, Michelle Newbold, Natalie Cooper, Amy Simmons, Chelcey Vernon, Mr. Benny, Alisson Haught), Survival Flight (Johnny Stoltzfus, Dee Shaw, Collin Condit, Maddie McKenney), Dr. Steve Alexander, Seth Stone, APN, Mark Reeves, Independence County assistant coroner and Willis Funeral Service, Mike Mundy with Batesville Police Department, Future Fuel Chemical Company (Larry Lawellin and Brad Johnson), Mountain Meadows Nursing and Rehab, and patient volunteers (Randell Crabtree, Austin Rolins, Alexis Garner, Annie Leonard, and Cole Mitchell).