By Carol Okupniak, RN, MSN, BC, Drexel College College of Nursing & Health Professions
CDC’s Zombie Readiness Campaign was the catalyst that inspired Drexel University’s College of Nursing & Health Professions, Center for Interdisciplinary Clinical Simulation and exercise, to organize doctors for just about any disaster by developing a Zombie Apocalypse within our own lab.
Last summer time Drexel staff interrupted class with news of the infectious outbreak in Philadelphia. Class people were escorted towards the morgue to assist find out the undead, who once the bags were unzipped, grew to become reanimated, victims from the imaginary neurodegenerative ataxic satiety deficiency syndrome.
Unlike an average classroom workshop using mannequins and actors portraying standardized patients, the scholars all of a sudden found themselves encircled by-and given the job of helping-victims of the zombie attack. Because the surprised group checked vital signs, some “patients” started to increase, stumble about and groan “braaaaaaains,” grabbing a chocolate imitation tucked under pillows. After 10 mins of accelerating chaos, a voice-over the intercom known as the scenario for an finish. The stunned participants filed from the simulation room and headed to some debriefing session.
Since this past year we’ve staged a number of disasters within our lab – from building implosions, to accommodate fires with multiple casualties, to victims of IEDs. We learned it does not matter exactly what the disaster, the preparation is identical – obtain a package, create a plan, be ready. We wish to thank the CDC for provoking us to produce a simulated disaster unlike every other. Our zombies, medical professionals, and particularly our simulation staff, came from the knowledge about newly found understanding, which we can’t forget. We’re prepared so we aspire to inspire a lot more medical professionals for many years. Consider more zombies within our future!
For additional info on this simulation, please contact Carol Okupniak at co33@drexel.edu
Resourse: https://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2012/05/teaching-readiness-through-a-zombie-outbreak/
