Five Alive Course Outline (STAR Center Simulation)
Course Description
This course is designed for all non-critical care nursing staff to improve cognitive and
psychomotor skills in the initiation and management for a patient exhibiting signs and symptoms
of declining health status. Learning objectives are based upon the hospital’s policies regarding
first responders to a patient in crisis. The topics of focus include early recognition of declining
patient status, familiarization with hospital policy for appropriate interventions, proper activation
of the medical emergency team (MET)/code team, proficient management of unit personnel,
and utilization of effective communication skills.
Target Audience
Nursing staff working in non-critical areas who provide direct patient care. Additionally,
inclusion of non-nursing unit personnel may be incorporated into this training.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the participant will:
• Identify declining patient health status requiring urgent intervention
• Execute proper first responder procedure per hospital policy
• Perform appropriate interventions based upon patient assessment
• Demonstrate proper techniques of basic life support in a timely manner
• Manage unit personnel responding to urgent patient situations
• Provide effective communication to all responders
• Maintain accurate documentation of event
• Give appropriate hand-off report to the transfer nurse
Expected Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the participant will confidently provide fast and effective first
responder care before the medical emergency team or code team arrives. This will be achieved
through recognition of urgent patient events, activation of proper interventions, and
demonstration of effective communication skills.
Content Format
(3-5 minutes) Pre-course survey will be provided to ascertain each participant’s previous
simulation experience and confidence level in first responder techniques.
(5 minutes) Orientation to simulator and environment---This includes identification and
functionality of all simulation, medical, and simulated-environment (phones, alarms, etc.)
equipment.
(5 minutes) First scenario – Refer to Scenario Development Worksheet
(15 – 20 minutes) Scenario debriefing and teaching – Refer to Debriefing: Tools and
References under Courses at www.wpahs.org/star
Review with participants the following points regarding the scenario:
• What do they feel happened during the scenario (what was the scenario about?)
• What do they feel they did well?
• What do they feel they could have done better?
• With what (what topics, policies, procedures, etc.) do they feel they need more training?
(5 minutes) Second scenario – Refer to Scenario Development Worksheet
(5-10 minutes) Scenario debriefing and teaching - Refer to Debriefing: Tools and
References under Courses at www.wpahs.org/star
(5 minutes) Post-course survey will be provided to ascertain each participant’s perspective
of the simulation experience, as well as, their confidence level in first responder techniques.
(1-2 minutes) Post-course evaluation of STAR Simulation Training will be provided to
ascertain each participant’s perspective regarding the effectiveness of instructors, scenarios,
equipment, and simulation support staff.
Skills Checklist
Skill Performed
(+, -, N/A)
Skills
Patient assessment
Determine patient responsiveness
Notify appropriate personnel (MET or Code Team)
Apply appropriate oxygen delivery device, if patient is conscious
Apply appropriate oxygen volume per delivery device
Provide manual ventilation (bag-valve-mask) if patient unconscious
Maintain patent airway
Insert oral airway, if needed
Bring crash cart into room
Place patient on backboard
Provide chest compressions
Position head of bed away from wall
Remove headboard for easy airway access
Apply defibrillator pads
Activate cardiac monitor
Provide shock, as needed
Perform blood glucose, as needed
Transport other patient out of room (semi-private)
Remove extraneous items out of room (chairs, waste receptacles, etc)
Discontinue PCA, if applicable
Administer Narcan per policy, if applicable
Record/document events of MET or Code
Place patient on floor, if applicable
Move patient from restricted space, if applicable
Obtain patient chart (electronic, paper, etc)
Demonstrate effective communication among staff members
Exhibit efficient teamwork
Demonstrate effective task delegation
Demonstrate familiarity with crash cart equipment and supplies
Participate as a member of the MET or Code Team (primary nurse)
Provide effective hand-off communication to transfer nurse
Activate Stroke Team per policy, if applicable
Demonstrate use of proper PPE for isolation patient, if applicable
Demonstrate proper procedure based on hospital policies, as needed
Scenario Topics
Patient with hypoglycemia resulting in pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
Patient with atrial fibrillation progressing to ventricular fibrillation
Patient with chest pain
Patient in respiratory distress
Patient suffering from PCA overdose
Patient fall in room
Patient with dislodged chest tube
Unconscious visitor in hallway or visitor lounge
*Email simulation@wpahs.org to obtain a Scenario Development Worksheet
Pre- and Post- Course Surveys and Evaluations
Instructor Surveys are on the following pages.
The STAR Center Employee Evaluation is also completed.
Five Alive: Pre-Course Survey
Name: _________________________________________
Circle one answer or write in a response for each question in the box to the right.
Have you ever been involved in simulation training?
Are you currently ACLS certified?
Have you ever been ACLS certified?
Approximately how many years of work experience do you have as an RN?
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Approximately how many years of experience do you have working with codes?
Place a checkmark in the box that corresponds with how much you agree or disagree with each statement.
Strongly
Disagree
Neutral Agree
Disagree
I am confident with my current skills in recognizing declining patient
health status (vital signs, level of consciousness, breathing, etc.).
I am confident with initiating the appropriate first responder
interventions (applying oxygen, calling the MET or code team, placing
the backboard, etc.).
I am confident in working with my unit staff as One Team in providing
quick, safe, and effective patient care during a patient crisis.
I am confident I have rapid access (less than one minute) to emergency
equipment (crash cart, oxygen delivery systems i.e., non-rebreather
masks, bag-valve-mask, nasal cannula, simple face masks, tubing and
connection components, etc.) to support the patient prior to the MET or
code team arrival.
I am confident with my current communication skills.
I am confident in utilizing and operating emergency equipment (crash
cart, oxygen delivery systems i.e., non-rebreather masks, bag-valvemask, nasal cannula, face masks, tubing and connection components,
etc.) to support the patient prior to the MET or code team arrival.
The MET and code teams respond in an appropriate amount of time.
The MET and code teams support me in my decision to activate them.
When the MET or code team arrives I feel that I am an integral part of
the response team.
I am confident in my documentation of accurate and relevant items
when responding to a patient crisis.
Strongly
Agree
Five Alive: Post-Course Survey
Name: _________________________________________
Place a checkmark in the box to the right that corresponds with how much you agree or disagree with each statement.
Strongly
Disagree
Neutral Agree Strongly
Disagree
Agree
I am confident in recognizing declining patient health status (vital signs,
level of consciousness, breathing, etc.).
I am confident with initiating the appropriate first responder interventions
(applying oxygen, calling the MET or code team, placing the backboard,
etc.).
I am confident in working with my unit staff as One Team in providing
quick, safe, and effective patient care during a patient crisis.
I am confident I have rapid access (less than one minute) to emergency
equipment (crash cart, oxygen delivery systems i.e., non-rebreather
masks, bag-valve-mask, nasal cannula, simple face masks, tubing and
connection components, etc.) to support the patient prior to the MET or
code team arrival.
I am confident with my communication skills.
I am confident in utilizing and operating emergency equipment (crash
cart, oxygen delivery systems i.e., non-rebreather masks, bag-valvemask, nasal cannula, face masks, tubing and connection components,
etc) to support the patient prior to the MET or code team arrival.
The MET and code teams respond in an appropriate amount of time.
The MET and code teams support me in my decision to activate them.
When the MET or code team arrives I feel that I am an integral part of
the response team.
I am confident in my documentation of accurate and relevant items when
responding to a patient crisis.