College of Anaesthesiologists Simulation Training Centre

Reference: SIM-CAST

https://www.anaesthesia.ie/education-events/simulation-programme/

The College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland (CAI) were early adopters of simulation-based education and were the first Irish Postgraduate Medical Training Body to incorporate mandatory simulation into their training programme. The College of Anaesthesiologists Simulation Training (CAST) Centre was opened in 2010 and further expanded in 2018 with the addition of new state-of-the-art facilities and latest simulation equipment. 

CAST Programme.

The role of simulation is firmly embedded in the Specialist Anaesthesiology Training (SAT) Programme. The SAT simulation curriculum encompasses nine mandatory courses and each trainee undertakes up to two courses per year. These are single-speciality courses (for anaesthesiologists only) dealing with common and rare adult emergencies, paediatric anaesthesiology emergencies, obstetric anaesthesiology crisis and intensive care as well as multi-speciality courses for anaesthesiology, surgery and emergency medicine trainees. Anaesthesia/PACU nurses also take part in several programmes.  The most recent data show that more than 500 attendees took part in 47 simulation courses in 2019. The CAST Centre is also supporting a significant number of other CAI internal as well as external educational events. More information on the number and types of courses and activities is available at www.anaesthesiology.ie

CAST Facilities. 

The CAST Centre facilities include an Operating Theatre Simulation Suite and a Critical Care Simulation Suite on two separate floors. Both suites are equipped with control and viewing/debrief rooms and advanced audio-visual capabilities. The Operating Theatre Simulation Suite is equipped with a wireless SimMan 3G and was designed to reproduce features and functions similar to a real operating theatre. The Critical Care Simulation Suite offers participants an enhanced training experience with two simulation bays.  There is an Intensive Care Bay, which is equipped with a modern wireless SimMan Essential linked to a TestChest lung simulator, a ventilator as well as monitors, infusion pumps and other critical care clinical equipment. Next to this there is an Obstetric Ward Bay equipped with a SimMom capable of demonstrating both a normal or complicated baby delivery.  The Critical Care Simulation Suite can also be used as an Emergency Department or Paediatric Ward. Both SimBaby and SimJunior are available. A variety of  part task trainers (e.g. spinal/epidural, airway management and central venous access trainers) are also available for skills training.

CAST Faculty. 

A large network of consultant anaesthesiologists are regularly contributing to the success of the programme. The CAST courses are delivered by expert clinicians with both general and sub-specialty interests who have completed the Train the Trainer Simulation Facilitator course. This annual CAI course ensures that an adequate pool of trained Faculty is always available for CAST delivery and sustainability. TTT is also very popular with a wide range of other healthcare professionals with an interest in simulation-based medical education. 

We are also running several very popular and highly regarded Simulation Fellowships. The Simulation Fellows are instrumental in the development, delivery and continuous evaluation of the programme.

Awards, Presentations and Publications.

The CAST programme has received wide national recognition having received several awards and commendations. Internationally, the CAST team has been representing CAST in various roles over the years from regular contributions to the scientific programme of various simulation and anaesthesiology meetings to participation in scientific meetings sub-committees and collaborative work.  There is a continuing healthy quality assurance and research activity with more than 50 scientific presentations at national and international meetings and several publications. The full list of Awards, Presentations and Publications is available at www.anaesthesiology.ie