AGANA HEIGHTS GUAM (February 2021) - U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Guam healthcare personnel participate in a high-fidelity Pediatric Critical Care simulation. (U.S. Navy photos by Petty Officer Second Class McAlan Pacumio, USNH Guam Public Affairs) ()
AGANA HEIGHTS, Guam (February 2021) - U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Guam Navy physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and Corpsmen received Pediatric Fundamental Critical Care Support (PFCCS) training at USNH Guam. The course was supported by leadership to ensure quality pediatric critical care training for staff.
40 students participated in a two-day course designed to train healthcare personnel on how to recognize trauma and critical illness in pediatric patients affected by natural disasters, humanitarian crisis and war. The students participated in interactive lectures, small group skill stations and simulations to learn the basic principles in assessing pediatric patients and initiating their care.
The skill stations provided training in pediatric sedatives, transportation, mechanical ventilator, and x-ray interpretations. The students were able to participate in a high-fidelity simulation that exposed them to challenging scenarios that occur in real-life. The simulation allowed the students to be in an environment where they were able to develop skills, make decisions, correct errors and apply lessons learned without compromising the health and safety of real-life patients.
“It decreases the risk of non-intensivist providers’ post-traumatic stress disorder by providing them the skills they need to handle these very challenging situations,” said retired Air Force Colonel and Certified Physician Executive, Daniel Bruzzini, MD, MBA.
The course was led by a professional team of military and civilian instructors, Capt. Luke Zabrocki, USN, doctor and Chairman of Pediatrics and Medical Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD); Dr. Cecilia Thompson, Pediatric Intensivist, NMCSD; and Lt. Col. Renee Matos, USAF, PFCCS course director, doctor and Pediatric Critical Care Consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General.
“The PFCCS instructors took time to discuss the Continental United States Pediatric Intensive Care Unit virtual consultation channel with USNH Guam providers,” said Cmdr. Lorelie Flinn, USNH Guam Director for Public Health. “The virtual consultation channel is underway and has the capability to provide pediatric critical care support and enhance partnerships between the USNH Guam and CONUS healthcare teams.
