Operation CHOLINERGIC

Shaw, Caleb; Newton, Jon

Abstract

#OperationCHOLINERGIC concluded at UWE Bristol on Friday after an intense 3-days of high-fidelity simulation. The scenario for this year’s event depicted an agricultural disaster, in which a group of contractors were undertaking a renovation project in one of the university’s nature reserve spaces. This work included spraying the plants with pesticides, but a series of errors in the mixing and handling of these chemicals took place. Many of the workers were casual/untrained staff and didn’t really appreciate what they were doing; and most hadn’t been issued with the correct PPE….

24 individuals played by scripted actors, posing as agricultural contractors, bystanders, or members of the public (attempting to render first-aid) were subsequently exposed to organophosphates. They quickly began feeling unwell, collapsed, had seizures and continued to clinically deteriorate. A major incident was declared, and paramedic science students alongside a range of qualified professionals from the police, fire and ambulance service responded to the scene. Following triage, decontamination and life-saving interventions, the survivors were conveyed to a simulated A&E department, staffed by physician associate/occupational therapy students and an experienced medical, nursing and AHP team.

This year’s schoolwide simulation had the unique addition of integrating a test of the university’s own major incident response procedures and evaluating the actions of its security service personnel. A controlled evacuation of key campus locations using the Call My Alert phone app was also conducted as part of this training exercise.

The second phase of the simulation included a forensic science crime scene investigation, a hospital ward, a mortuary; and police officers obtaining witness statements from key individuals. These important components lay the foundations for the final component of the simulation which will take place next year, in the form of a public inquiry simulation. Individuals identified as core participants will be summoned to the witness box to give evidence in a realistic courtroom setting and the event will be live-streamed enabling all learners to further enhance their skills and knowledge.

A total of 437 individuals have taken part in this year’s simulation (so far) and industry experts, guests and VIP’s from a range of clinical and educational settings were invited to watch the action unfold over the 3-day period. Operation CHOLINERGIC is one of the largest, most complex and immersive interprofessional major incident simulations conducted to date in the UK; and in the forthcoming months the event will be supported by a feature-length teaching and learning documentary. #UWE #innovation #industryleading #teachingandlearning #majorincidentsimulation

• Digital Artefact Type: Video
• Acceptance Date: Aug 6, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Aug 7, 2024
• Publication Date: Aug 7, 2024
• Deposit Date: Aug 9, 2024
• Keywords: Major incident simulation
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/12778845