The hospital setting is familiar to nearly everyone whether or not they are actually working in one. In Friday Night in the ER, the hospital is composed of four departments (emergency, surgery, critical care and step down) and the 24 hours of simulation reveal many different aspects of the realities that influence clinical and administrative staff on a daily basis and how to collaborate across functional boundaries to achieve system goals. We believe the students enjoyed the learning experience and plan to use the team-learning game with the Executive MSHA students during their Operations Management course this summer.

"The best part of the simulation to me was how it created a setting in which you must work together to succeed. Many times, we only think about the issues plaguing us or our own department, causing us to lose sight of the bigger picture. By creating a chaotic atmosphere, the game forced us to take action and help other departments. Though we could have chosen to sit back and only worry about our specific department, it is not what is best for the patient and the organization as a whole. Though taking on responsibilities from other departments may introduce a level of chaos into your own, it creates an atmosphere of teamwork and trust."
 
- Carson Cleveland, MSHA/MSHI Class 52

"Overall, I really enjoyed the in-class simulation. It kept me on my toes and made me excited to strategize in order to keep patient flow efficient in my hospital. The best part of the simulation, from my perspective, was being able to practice communicating with my group members to take care of our patients and keep moving on to the next hour efficiently."

--Nicole Lopez, MSHA Class 52