Students, first responders, and hospital staff will now have hands-on training through the new eSIM Lab that opened last week.
The grand opening of the eSIM lab was held on November 7, with attendees from across the province coming to celebrate the event. This lab is the second of its kind in the province, with Sundre having an off-site eSIM lab. The Drayton Valley Hospital is the first to have the lab inside the hospital.
The eSIM lab will not only help first responders with recertifications and training, but it will also work hand-in-hand with the Grow Your Own RN initiative that the Town has in place. For the first year of their education, the nursing students take classes at the Community Education and Training Centre. In the second year, they have a practicum at the hospital.
The lab has room for two beds and mannequin patients who can interact with students. The equipment for the lab was provided by the University of Calgary.
“I have had the privilege of being part of the project from its early days,” said Jason Laberge, the Provincial Director of eSIM for Alberta Health Services. “I’m delighted to see the SIM lab in use, helping to develop the skills of our RNs of tomorrow.”
Laberge said that the lab will also benefit current hospital staff as they will get to practice as a team, which he says will improve their effectiveness on the floor.
“eSIM stands for Educate, Simulate, Innovate, Motivate,” said MLA Andrew Boitchenko. “But I’m sure there’s no one here in the room that needs an explanation of that. Everybody knows what it means, and it’s a pleasure to have this now here in Drayton Valley.”
Boitchenko said the lab is a commitment to practical, hands-on-learning that enhances the safety and quality of care of patients.
“This innovative program simulates real life medical scenarios, helping teams refine their skill before they ever reach a patient,” said Boitchenko. “By practicing in a realistic, safe setting, health care professionals can build confidence, strengthen collaboration, and improve outcomes for patients.”
While the Town of Drayton Valley, AHS, and the University of Calgary provided backing for the project, the funds were raised by the Drayton Valley Community Health Foundation and the Drayton Valley Healthcare Auxiliary.
Carol Vowk, the chair of the board for the Drayton Valley Community Health Foundation, said when they first heard about the opportunity for the eSIM lab, they were in the middle of a project for a room in palliative care. She said the foundation decided to table the idea, keeping it in mind for the future once they had completed the renovations.
However, when the Town initiated the Grow Your Own program, they decided to go for it.
“The future came upon us really, really quickly,” said Vowk.
While they were planning for the eSIM lab, they completed their renovations for the palliative care room. The space now includes a wheelchair accessible shower, which they didn’t have previously.
“We can accomplish great things when our community comes together,” said Vowk.
Following the speeches and ribbon cutting, attendees were able to watch a demonstration of the lab put on by RN students and hospital staff.
