Procedures

Simulation Curriculum

UCLA has a state of the art simulation center, complete with realistic ICU, operative, inpatient ward, and outpatient clinic rooms. Our affiliate, the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, also has a simulation center where our residents practice interdisciplinary communication skills in high-fidelity rapid response scenarios. Numerous simulators are used including high fidelity mannequins, task trainers (central lines, lumbar puncture, intraosseous lines, etc), and virtual reality trainers (TTE, TEE, endoscopy, etc). Our high fidelity scenario based curriculum covers all three years of residency. Interns have a half day small group session (3-5 residents) focused on management of common, but acute situations. At the R2 retreat at the beginning of the second year, all PGY2 residents receive a day of instruction in code blue leadership as well as central line and intraosseous line placement. Throughout the PGY2 and PGY3 years, interdisciplinary "in-situ" simulation sessions occur with med/surg nurses, ICU nurses, critical care transport team members, and anesthesia residents. For senior residents with an interest in medical education, there are also opportunities to participate in a simulation elective to go behind the scenes and learn the principles of simulation instruction. 

Procedure Teaching Service

All of our residents rotate through the Procedure Teaching Service during their PGY-1 year. Residents receive 1-on-1 training from a hospitalist specially trained in bedside procedures including central lines, ultrasound guided IV placement, paracentesis and lumbar puncture. Additional time is spent in our state of the art high fidelity simulation center to further hone these skills, standardize best practices, and reduce complications.