June 19, 2025
ST. ALBERT – Healthcare teams at the Sturgeon Community Hospital now have a dedicated space to practise simulated medical response exercises and refine their skills.
The newly opened $1-million clinical simulation centre includes a technologically integrated room that can mimic a hospital, an operating room and an emergency department. The space also has extensive storage space for equipment and supplies, and two breakout rooms that can be used to debrief simulations or to schedule smaller education sessions.
The centre, fully funded by the Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation, was designed by Educate, Simulate, Innovate, Motivate (eSIM), the provincial simulation program under the Quality & Healthcare Improvement portfolio in Alberta Health Services (AHS).
“We really took the needs of the hospital and learnings from other eSIM facilities across the province to create one of the most efficient simulation spaces I’ve helped build,” says Ken Brisbin, Simulation Lead - Planning, eSIM, AHS.
“Enhanced and effective healthcare delivery relies on teamwork and communication. This space will give healthcare practitioners at the Sturgeon the opportunity to practise realistic scenarios through guided facilitation and work together to achieve the best patient outcomes.”
Simulation prepares healthcare teams for high-risk situations, develops confidence in a safe learning environment, bridges the gap between textbook learning and real-life situations, and gives healthcare providers the freedom to learn from mistakes without causing patient harm.
Previously, a team of clinical nurse educators at the site would transport training and simulation manikins throughout the hospital to deliver education sessions. Most often, a clinical setting would not be available, and staff would teach in a boardroom or office.
“For our staff and physicians to deliver the best care possible, they must practise, especially less- frequent, high-acuity medical events and emergencies,” says Krista Nunes, Clinical Nurse Educator, Sturgeon Community Hospital.
“Running a simulation using an electronic manikin in fully equipped space that mimics a hospital environment helps us recreate the most realistic high-stress scenario possible. It helps ensure our healthcare team has the skills and competency to meet the needs of the community.”
Simulated scenarios can replicate practical situations specific to the needs of different departments and programs across the hospital, including emergency, labour and delivery, surgery and medicine units.
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The request to fundraise and build a dedicated simulation space at the hospital came after the Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation funded an $87,000 simulation manikin so advanced it can breathe, bleed, sweat, convulse and even speak in response to an operator’s directions.
A dedicated simulation space with a separate control room was requested to create a realistic education experience. This setup enables staff and physicians to practise confidently in an immersive environment, refining procedural skills and teamwork
“Our donors are committed to investing in educational opportunities that ensure staff and physicians at the Sturgeon are confident, competent and well-equipped to care for patients and families in our community,” says Katrina Black, President and CEO, Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation. “Thanks to the support from our community, healthcare teams at the Sturgeon have a dedicated place in the hospital to develop a solid foundation in patient safety and apply what they have learned when faced with real-world situations.”
The Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation is dedicated to enhancing healthcare, supporting leading-edge medical equipment, furthering innovation and community education. The foundation raises funds and manages funds to help assist the hospital in meeting the growing needs for health services, improved patient outcomes and being better to meet the needs of patients while keeping them close to their family, friends and home.
Alberta Health Services provides a range of healthcare services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide excellent, patient-focused healthcare that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
