Northwest Health Foundation Funds Innovative Clinical Simulation Project for Oregon; Joint Project of Northwest Health Foundation and the Oregon Governor's Office.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 20, 2004

The Northwest Health Foundation (NWHF) has awarded $49,950 to the Oregon Health & Science University Simulation and Clinical Learning Center. The award, to be matched by the Oregon Workforce Investment Board through the Governor's Office, will be used to assess the statewide capacity for using clinical simulation learning, and to develop broad strategies to evolve clinical simulation into a comprehensive health professions education resource throughout the state.

Oregon is facing a critical shortage of skilled health care workers for which there are many causes. One obstacle is a relative dearth of clinical space and faculty. Simulation is an educational methodology designed to provide learning exercises that closely mimic practical "real life" situations. A successful simulation education program has a combination of a variety of technologies that include virtual reality and mannequin-based simulation. When simulation was first introduced into health care 15 years ago it was very expensive, but the technology is now more affordable.

The Governor's Healthcare Workforce Initiative formed the Statewide Simulation Alliance, comprised of coalitions of health care institutions and educational programs throughout Oregon. The matching funds from the Oregon Workforce Investment Board will serve as seed funding to leverage additional funding from public and private sources, including the Federal government.

"This project is an excellent example of a public/private partnership," said Thomas Aschenbrener, president of the Northwest Health Foundation. "The funding collaboration between the Governor's Office and the Foundation is an effective way to support new ideas in a time of scarce resources. We are optimistic that this assessment of statewide needs and readiness will allow the alliance members to develop a strong plan that can be used to secure ongoing resources for local communities."

The 6,000 square foot, state-of-the-art OHSU Simulation and Clinical Learning Center opened in early 2003, and is multidisciplinary at its core. Michael Seropian, M.D., assistant professor of anesthesiology, OHSU School of Medicine and assistant professor, School of Nursing, and Bonnie Driggers, R.N., M.S., M.P.A., director Clinical Teaching Programs and Systems, OHSU School of Nursing are co-directors of the OHSU Simulation and Clinical Learning Center. Dr. Seropian, the project director of the NWHF award, said, "Our intent is to include most, if not all, health care venues in the state. This statewide simulation strategy is unique to Oregon and, as with other past innovations, Oregon will serve as a model for other states. This award from the Northwest Health Foundation will allow OHSU and its partners to take the first step needed to fully integrate simulation education in health care systems and programs throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington. This is truly a national first."

The Oregon Employment Department states that health care occupations are the fastest growing category or workers in Oregon, and that Oregon's overall health care employment will grow by 17% by 2010. According to a 2002 survey, Oregon hospitals reported 1,700 unfilled registered nursing positions, 117 unfilled radiology technologist positions, and 77 unfilled licensed practical nurse positions. If filled, these jobs would add $52 million to Oregon's economy. According to Diane Vines, Ph.D, coordinator of the Governor's Healthcare Workforce Initiative, "The simulation effort is part of the larger Healthcare Workforce Initiative, and our vision is to dramatically increase the quantity and quality of the state's health care workforce. We're off to a good start with this partnership with the Northwest Health Foundation and the Statewide Simulation Alliance. We believe that this project will expedite training of health care workers to address drastic shortages in the state within five years."

The vision for the project as developed by the Alliance members is complex and will require ongoing collaborations. The goal is to integrate simulation-based education into most health care curriculums. Faculty will be trained and will become part of a statewide simulation network. The technology and methods will be used locally, as well as over distances using broadband networks. The system, in its complete form, will make simulation-based education accessible at any time, as well as affordable.

Members of the Statewide Simulation Alliance include: Oregon Center for Nursing, Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education, Community College Healthcare Action Plan, Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, Oregon Health & Science University and Oregon Health Careers Center.

An independent, private foundation, the Northwest Health Foundation is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors, led by founding chair Senator Mark O. Hatfield. The Foundation was founded in 1997 from the net proceeds of the sale of PACC Health Plans and PACC HMO. Find them on the web at www.nwhf.org.