Perioperative nurses take on surgical escape room

Nursing staff at Calvary Adelaide Hospital have taken part in a new perioperative escape room designed by University of South Australia (UniSA) nursing and perioperative nursing lecturer Dr Michelle Freeling. Set in a state-of-the-art operating room, the simulated patient experience puts experienced nurses to the test, requiring them to respond to perioperative emergencies and solve complex scenarios.

A patient lies ready on the table when an alarm sounds and the nurses must respond, needing to work together adeptly and efficiently to manage whatever challenges are put before them before they can successfully ‘escape’ — and its designer says the experience is transforming nursing education. “Perioperative nursing is a specialty that requires nurses to work quickly and efficiently, collaborating with surgeons and anaesthetists in high-pressure environments,” Freeling said.

UniSA graduate nurses undertake the escape room activity with creator Dr Michelle Freeling (third from left). Image courtesy Calvary.

“But with surgical advancements continually reshaping the field, perioperative nurses need to stay ahead of the latest techniques and practices — this is where experiences like our escape room can help,” Freeling added. “Participants will practise managing complex patient scenarios in the operating room, understanding and responding to perioperative emergencies, working cohesively with their team, and maintaining situational awareness, all of which are critical for success.”

Designed as an opportunity for perioperative nurses to learn or refine their expertise in a controlled-yet-realistic environment, the escape room is a chance to test skills safely, without risk, Freeling explained. The experience is also part of the new Calvary Scholarship Program, which was created to support nurses undertaking UniSA’s Graduate Certificate in Nursing with a focus on Perioperative Nursing — with Calvary having supported 12 scholarships for nurses to undertake the Perioperative Nursing course so far.

“UniSA’s perioperative nursing escape room demonstrates a contemporary, engaging and innovative approach to learning that will advance our team’s specialist perioperative skills while also developing their leadership capabilities, staff culture, and excellent person-centred care,” Calvary Adelaide Hospital General Manager Tanya Brooks said. The inaugural cohort of scholarship recipients have now commenced their studies.

Top image: UniSA graduate nurses undertake the escape room activity with creator Dr Michelle Freeling (second from left). Image courtesy Calvary.