The US Fed News
NEW ORLEANS — Sharmaine Hughes, RN, BS, NREMT-P, director of Delgado’s Department of EMS Education, was invited to be a guest instructor of LSU School of Medicine residents at a Nov. 21 Advanced Clinic Anatomy Course held at the school’s Advanced Learning Center in downtown New Orleans.
Breaking Down Barriers By Sharmaine Hughes, RN, BS, NREMT-P As an Allied Health professional that started as a first responder at 18 years old to a Paramedic- RN 22 years later, I had always felt an overwhelmingly and uncomfortable separation between pre-hospital and in-hospital care providers. I can remember feeling anxious when I had to call medical control to give a patient report or speak to a nurse in the ER about a patient I had just transferred care to. My palms would sweat and I would get tongue tied, worried I would say the wrong thing! I was very intimidated by the knowledge and skills of those professionals above my level of training. I had – and still do – have the utmost respect for their position and training. There can be a fine line between respect and fear when working with people in authority. It was only when I started teaching and bringing students into the clinicals setting that I noticed that same fear and anxiety is present among students – all students! I began trying to get the Paramedic students and other students (Nursing, Respiratory and Medical) to start talking to each other during clinical rotations – even collaborate on the same patient if possible. I then tried to encourage the Paramedic students to talk to the medical residents and Physicians about their patients and even participate in rounds together whenever possible. Over a couple of weeks, the tension and anxiety started to decrease and the students began to actually speak to each other. It was wonderful. The intimidation factor dropped dramatically and the learning increased. Each discipline began to understand the scope of practice and depth of knowledge needed to perform their jobs. Once the students began to see what each group brings to the table when caring for a patient holistically a mutual found respect began to form. Extremely excited about this new found discovery, I immediately began to collaborate with some of our other affiliates, predominately our four year college partners, to find other ways to pair our students together. The ideas began to take a working shape and the programs and learning opportunities became a reality in 2006. We had a unique opportunity after Hurricane Katrina to bring all disciplines of heath care together. We all realized that we work towards a common goal every day – excellent patient care. The only thing that truly separates EMS providers from hospital care providers is the glass door we all walk through each day while delivering patient care. |
Hughes presented intubation technique, cricothyroidotomy techniques and IM injections, demonstrating and then helping students practice on both mannequins and cadavers. The guest instruction is just one of many ways that Delgado Community College is working hand-in-hand with both LSU and Tulane Schools of Medicine to break down educational barriers and provide cutting-edge interdisciplinary healthcare training.
Training that raises the awareness and appreciation of the interactive roles of each member of the medical team, across the full continuum of pre-hospital care, translates to better communication — and better outcomes — in the real world. This fact is the foundation for the close partnership Delgado has formed with LSU and Tulane.
While Delgado, LSU and Tulane have enjoyed a strong relationship for decades, their creative partnerships over the past few years have distinguished them around the globe and taken health care education to a new level of excellence. In the words of Dr. Peggy Chehardy, Tulane director of Surgical Education and Delgado EMS Advisory Board member, the partnership is creating “a new tradition in health care, from the street to the surgery suite.”
For the past three years, Delgado Paramedic students have learned side-by-side with Tulane and LSU Medical Students, Residents and Physicians during an annual drill of hands-on trauma scenario simulations at Delgado’s City Park Campus.
As well, Delgado paramedic students are joining Tulane Medical School students in doing instructional Basic Life Support training at community sites, such as Bridgehouse, across the city. This service learning activity is a win-win that gives the students invaluable hands-on experience and improves critical care for high risk populations.
The partnership continues to strengthen and the opportunities grow. Last semester, graduating Registered Nursing and Respiratory Care Technician students from Delgado participated in interdisciplinary, team-based simulations with Tulane School of Medicine students at the university’s new Simulation Center.
This past month two Delgado Paramedic students audited an Advanced Trauma Life Support class at Tulane Medical School/Surgery Department, a class formerly only open only to physicians.
By taking the lead in breaking down the glass doors between medical care in the street and the hospital, this interdisciplinary educational approach is building a framework for open communication and improved patient care.
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