Nurses from Cooma Hospital’s Emergency Department recently strengthened their skills in caring for critically unwell patients through Southern’s Resus Room Ready Program.

The one-day workshop helps nurses working in emergency and critical care settings build confidence in managing high acuity patients, with a focus on recognising deterioration, escalating care, preparing for patient retrieval, medication management, staff safety and teamwork during high-pressure situations.

A highlight of the day was a paediatric simulation involving a six-year-old child whose condition required urgent escalation to the Newborn and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service (NETS).

Using the Critical Care Overbed Network (CCON), the team connected with a NETS Consultant, Dr Carsten Joerck, via live video technology to co-ordinate the child’s care.

The simulation gave nurses the opportunity to practice responding to a time-critical situation in a safe and supportive learning environment.

Emergency Department and Trauma Clinical Nurse Consultant, Louise Casey, said the workshop helps staff build practical skills they can apply in real-world situations.

“These simulations give our nurses the opportunity to practice complex scenarios and work through the challenges that can arise when caring for critically unwell patients,” Ms Casey said.

“They help strengthen clinical skills, communication and teamwork, while building confidence in using specialist resources and support services available to rural hospitals.”

While serious paediatric emergencies are uncommon, local clinicians are not managing them alone.

Through NETS, emergency teams can quickly access specialist advice from children’s health experts and, when needed, arrange transfer to a specialist hospital.

This support helps ensure children in Southern NSW can receive the right care at the right time, backed by a statewide network of paediatric specialists. The Resus Room Ready Program will also be delivered in Bombala, Crookwell, Queanbeyan and Yass in coming months.