The Society for Simulation in Healthcare has awarded California Health Sciences University’s Simulation Center a provisional accreditation.

“We are proud to have achieved this initial milestone to assure our Simulation Center follows simulation-standard best practices for our medical and pharmacy students and community learners,” said Leslie Catron, CHSU’s Simulation Center director.

Based on the student’s curriculum, CHSU medical students have the option of rotating through the Simulation Center, where they will encounter patient cases, and learn professionalism, teamwork, patient communication, documentation skills, and how to conduct a physical exam.

The CHSU Simulation Center features a holographic anatomy classroom where students will use Case Western Reserve University’s HoloAnatomy™ software suite with the Microsoft HoloLens 2™.

This device and software are designed to study anatomy using holographs instead of traditional cadaver and dissection labs for learning. This allows medical students to delve deeper into the human body and each body system.

Watch: CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Simulation Center HoloLens

How did CHSU Earn This Accreditation?

John Graneto, dean of the CHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, said the university has made significant investments in the simulation center.

By offering a state-of-the-art simulation center on the Clovis campus, students learn with high-fidelity manikins, patient trainers, and standardized patients in specialized labs, including in-patient hospital environments, and out-patient clinics or doctor’s offices.

The society will evaluates a simulation program’s process and outcomes by assessing their research, teaching/education, and systems integration.

“Research shows that using interactive simulation experiences combined with classroom learning develops better-prepared clinical practitioners while improving quality healthcare, education, and patient safety,” said Graneto.

What’s Next for CHSU?

For most nascent simulation centers, the first step is to apply for a provisional accreditation through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, Catron explained.

It’s a rigorous process that requires extensive documentation.

“The reason we applied for provisional accreditation was that we had not yet been in operation for two years,” said Catron.

The 20,000 square-foot center opened in February 2020.

“The provisional accreditation gives the Simulation Center program two years to meet the recommendations from the survey committee and prepare the exhaustive application for full accreditation,” said Catron. “During that time, consultants are available to assist in the process.”

CHSU’s Simulation Center will be eligible to apply for full accreditation in 2024.

About California Health Sciences University

CHSU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, and its programs are approved to operate by the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education.

The medical school offers Doctor of Pharmacy and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine programs, with plans to open up to 10 post-baccalaureate colleges on the 110-acre campus.

The timing and specific discipline for each new program will be determined based on the need and opportunity for job placement within the region, Catron said.

CHSU was founded in 2012 by the Assemi family with the goal to provide quality healthcare to rural and underdeveloped communities and offer local options for doctoral programs to help remedy the shortage of healthcare services in the Valley.

(GV Wire Publisher Darius Assemi serves on the university’s board of trustees.)