Global IMPACT: Improving Emergency Medical Preparedness and Childhood Treatments Pediatric Simulation Training at Dhulikhel Hospital in Nepal
In 2022, AMPATH Nepal launched the Nepal Pilot Projects grant opportunity to accelerate the development of collaborative work between the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Dhulikhel Hospital, and Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences.
Morgan, Christine, Rose and Samantha (Sammi) outside the main entrance of Dhulikhel Hospital.
Among the four proposals that were supported, was Global IMPACT: Improving emergency Medical Preparedness and Childhood Treatments, which had three aims.
Aim 1: conduct a local needs assessment using a modified version of the National Pediatric Readiness Assessment to evaluate the overall readiness of the Emergency Department at Dhulikhel Hospital (DH).
Aim 2: certify a pilot group of doctors, nurses, and paramedics in the American Heart Association’s Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) program in order to improve pediatric morbidity and mortality in the hospital community.
Aim 3: develop a multi-disciplinary in-situ pediatric specific simulation curriculum using low-fidelity equipment.
In March 2024, the Global IMPACT team traveled to Nepal to lead the PALS course and implement the simulation curriculum.
Grant funding through AMPATH Nepal allowed for procurement of the necessary supplies to teach PALS, including training manuals, mannikins, and CPR trainers. Through this, 15 local physicians were certified in PALS, as none of the providers at DH currently had this foundational certification.
Under the mentorship of Rose House, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics and Global Health, and Director of the Nepal Partnership, a week long pediatric specific training was developed, to support the faculty, students and nurses at DH as they open their dedicated Children’s Hospital and continue to develop pediatric-focused services. In collaboration with local leadership at DH, a pilot simulation curriculum was designed and implemented, including four critical and frequently encountered pediatric scenarios. Utilizing the simulation center at DH using mostly low-fidelity equipment, over 40 providers participated, including physicians, medical students, and nurses.
Sammi, Christine, Morgan, Rose at Monkey Temple while exploring Kathmandu.
The experience for our Global Impact team was incredibly rewarding! Learnings from the team included understanding the resources available to providers in Dhulikhel, as well as the different ways medical care is delivered in Nepal. We were challenged to re-evaluate the methods in which we traditionally provide care and consider new perspectives to alternative ways of caring for our own patients in NYC. We enjoyed teaching our colleagues in Nepal and can honestly say that we learned from them as much as they learned from us! In their free time, the Global IMPACT team explored Nepal’s cultural and historical sites, and enjoyed delicious food. The ongoing partnership with Dhulikhel Hospital will continue to strengthen pediatric readiness, medical education, and simulation, while growing participation and learning opportunities for MSHS faculty and trainees.
Morgan Bowling, DO, is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine and attending physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine.
Christine Saracino, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics as well as Emergency Medicine Simulation Faculty at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Saracino supports curriculum development with AMPATH Nepal.
Samantha Langer, MD, is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellow in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Langer supports the expansion and integration of Pediatric Emergency Medicine in Nepal to encourage other trainees to complete international rotations and research projects.
Learn more about the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and our work in Nepal: https://icahn.mssm.edu/research/arnhold or at https://www.ampathnepal.org/ .
Christine, Sammi, Morgan with one of the simulation groups.