The Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) actively advocates for the healthcare simulation industry at the state and local government levels across the United States. This advocacy work is crucial for promoting the adoption and integration of simulation-based training and education in healthcare systems nationwide.
Key Advocacy Initiatives
• Engagement with State Legislatures: SSH works to educate state lawmakers about the benefits of healthcare simulation in improving patient safety and healthcare outcomes.
• Collaboration with State Health Departments: The organization partners with state health departments to promote the use of simulation in addressing local healthcare challenges and workforce development needs.
• Support for Local Simulation Centers: SSH advocates for funding and resources to establish and maintain simulation centers in hospitals, universities, and community colleges.
• Promotion of Simulation Standards: The organization works with state regulatory bodies to incorporate simulation-based training standards into healthcare education and licensure requirements.
Regional Collaboratives
SSH supports and collaborates with regional simulation alliances to strengthen advocacy efforts at the state and local levels. Examples include:
- California Simulation Alliance (CSA): Promotes simulation in healthcare to improve patient safety across California.
- Pacific Northwest Healthcare Simulation Collaborative (PNWHSC): Serves the simulation community in the Pacific Northwest region.
Community Engagement
SSH encourages its members to engage with local governments and community organizations to:
• Participate in local healthcare planning initiatives
• Provide expertise on simulation-based solutions for community health challenges
• Advocate for the inclusion of simulation in local healthcare workforce development programs
Impact on State and Local Policies
Through these advocacy efforts, SSH aims to:
• Increase state and local funding for healthcare simulation programs
• Integrate simulation into state-level healthcare education curricula
• Promote the use of simulation for quality improvement in local healthcare facilities
• Support the development of simulation-specific job classifications at the state level
By leveraging its expertise and the collective voice of its members, SSH continues to position healthcare simulation as a critical component in advancing the quality of healthcare at state and local levels across the United States.