SiLab - CritCare and NeuroICU Si(mulation) Lab - Mission Statement

Our mission at SiLab is to empower medical teams to enhance medical resuscitation care, encompassing conditions such as cardiac arrest (code blue) and neurovascular resuscitation, through the sharing and implementation of best practices, protocols, and simulation-based training methodologies. We strive to reduce the door-to-intervention time, whether that's how efficiently a code is run for medical resuscitations, and in the context of stroke, critical metrics such as door-to-needle time and door-to-groin puncture time.

Core Focus Areas

Stroke-Specific Simulation Training: We recognize that simulation provides an essential opportunity for clinicians to gain repeated exposure to variations in hyperacute stroke scenarios within a safe learning environment. Through stroke simulation exercises, healthcare teams can undergo stress inoculation, becoming more likely to recognize immediate threats and respond appropriately in controlled, effective manners during actual code stroke situations.

Crisis Resource Management Integration: Our simulation-based approach emphasizes the development of both technical and nontechnical skills essential for high-performing stroke teams. This includes situational awareness, cognitive load management, role clarity, effective communication, and structured debriefing processes—all practiced through realistic stroke simulation scenarios.

Evidence-Based Protocols: Sharing best practices and protocols for acute stroke resuscitation care, validated through simulation training, is a key factor in improving the quality of care at individual medical centers. By sharing and comparing protocols that have been tested and refined through simulation exercises, centers can identify and implement proven strategies to reduce response times, ultimately resulting in improved patient outcomes.

Educational Impact Through Simulation

Skill Transfer and Retention: Research demonstrates that Crisis Resource Management skills learned during stroke simulation training are effectively transferred to clinical settings, with measurable improvements in patient outcomes. Our simulation-focused resources address communication challenges encountered with ad hoc stroke teams, helping participants modify their communication behaviors and enhance teamwork following structured training exercises.

Continuous Improvement: SiLab facilitates the development of in situ stroke simulation programs that utilize realistic scenarios, ad hoc teams, and comprehensive checklists to foster CRM principles. These simulation experiences provide cumulative marginal gains in operational performance when combined with regular debriefing and knowledge-sharing among healthcare providers.

Collaborative Learning: As an educational website dedicated to sharing information and resources on stroke resuscitation care and simulation methodologies, SiLab plays a critical role in promoting collaboration and knowledge-sharing among healthcare providers. Through simulation-based learning modules and shared protocols, we enable healthcare teams to practice hyperacute stroke management in controlled environments before applying these skills in real clinical scenarios.

Important Disclaimer

There is no duty-of-care; everything on this website is for educational purposes only and not a replacement for expert advice and/or expert medical care. All simulation scenarios and protocols shared are intended for training purposes and should be adapted to local practice parameters and institutional guidelines.

Our Commitment

Through the sharing of information, simulation resources, and evidence-based protocols, our goal at SiLab is to facilitate continuous improvement in stroke resuscitation care. By emphasizing simulation-based skill development alongside traditional knowledge transfer, we aim to create high-performing "brain resuscitation" teams that can deliver timely, precise, and effective hyperacute stroke interventions, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and a reduction in the devastating impact of acute stroke.

SiLab is a resuscitation and simulation-focused resource website by Dr. Houman Khosravani. The site started June 2023, check frequently for updates on stroke simulation protocols and training resources.

Are you a resident physician and interested in resuscitation? Want to make this website better? Get in Touch

SiLab is a QI/Educational resource developed by Dr. Houman Khosravani, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto

DISCLAIMER