Air Force, Italian medics simulate joint patient care

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ryan Whitney
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy (AFNS) --  Members of the 31st Medical Group at Aviano Air Base and the local Italian hospital in Pordenone, Italy, came together April 17 to discuss the results of the region's first international patient care simulation.

The collaboration, which took place in early March, encompassed all levels of care needed to transport a newborn infant from the Aviano medical treatment facility to Pordenone.

The scenario was decided by a team of medical professionals and leaders from both medical facilities, who came together months before the simulation to determine what the participants would encounter.

"We began planning this particular scenario because this is one of our most common situations and something that most of the players are familiar with," said Jessica Schwartz, 31st MDG simulation operator. "Exercises aren't a stranger to military operations, but the full participation of our Italian counterpart's leadership on both sides really helped bring it all together and make this a success."

Although the simulation was important, the major focus was on identifying shortfalls and areas for improvement so that the two organizations can provide better care, said Schwartz.

A key item brought to light was timeliness of travel between the two locations. Currently, 31st MDG emergency vehicles are not authorized to drive at speeds exceeding posted speed limits or with lights and sirens active. Being able to operate under Italian transportation standards could potentially shave valuable minutes off transportation time.

"We agree this is unacceptable and want to work with [Aviano] and the area prefect to develop a policy that allows Aviano ambulances to quickly travel between the hospitals," said Dr. Vincenzo Mione, Friuli Region emergency response director. "This is what's best for the patient which makes it best for us, since that is why we are here."

Another improvement identified was communication. During the transport, Aviano medical members completed the patient history form detailing the latest stats and vitals so that upon arrival, the infant would receive expedited care with minimal delay.

"When we showed up with the patient, a lot of time was spent just translating the history and identifying the information that the Italians find more important, and that is time that could be spent treating the patient," said Dr. (Lt. Col.) Lee Williames, 31st MDG chief of medical staff. "I might have written the world's best patient history, but if I am the only one who could use it, it does the patient no good."

The new bilingual form looks to simplify the process and provide only the most pertinent information to the receiving staff members in an easy to fill out, easy to read format.

And while the lessons learned were important takeaways from each organization, equally important was the experience of participating in a simulated emergency situation. According to Schwartz, medical simulations are a fairly new practice, and one that has yet to make its way to Italian medical facilities.

"This simulation gave us a unique and different way to look at how we work and treat patients because the practice of simulation isn't really used by us," said Dr. Nicola Delli Quadri, Pordenone Hospital patient safety manager. "Looking back, there were some challenges, but this was a great experience and I think it is important to change our culture and mentality to use simulations to enhance our care for patients."

Delli Quadri said the most surprising part about the simulation was how in-depth and involved the U.S. participants took the scenario, but for the members of the 31st MDG, the exercise was just par for the course.

"As anyone stationed at Aviano has seen, we are one of the most inspected bases out there, so we get a lot of experience with simulated events and training, not to mention the events that [the Simulation Operations team] adds on each month," said Schwartz. "Sharing that kind of experience and our training equipment with the Pordenone Hospital was what made this such an important milestone."

Although a date has not been set, the Pordenone and Aviano medical teams have already discussed possible future scenarios, including having a Pordenone 118 ambulance transport an adult patient from Aviano to Pordenone.

"While we don't know what the situation will be yet, the important thing is that they are interested and engaged and want more of this type of joint training," said Williames. "This is opening a door to strengthen the working relationship we have, and I can't wait to see where it will lead to in the future."