Since 2005, in the United States, unintentional injury has been the leading cause of death for people ages 1-44 years old. More often than not, bystanders are the first people on the scene when someone becomes seriously injured. Unfortunately, those bystanders may not know what to do in such a tense situation before emergency services arrive.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 80 to 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year. Firefighting is a dangerous occupation, but education and practice can help first responders identify and address life-threatening situations.
Joann Freel is the Executive Director of the National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE). NAEMSE is a member-focused association of EMS educators whose core mission is to inspire educational excellence.
The National Institutes of Medicine reported in its well-known paper “To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System,” that as many as 98,000 people were dying due to medication errors in hospitals – errors that the institute believed were preventable.
Emergency scene simulations, such as a mock car crash, can do more than help prepare EMS providers and other first responders. They can help high school students avoid becoming statistics.
Simulation in Healthcare Education
Pocket Nurse is a nurse-owned-and-operated company that specializes in medical education and simulation technology solutions.