Universidad Andrés Bello Receives International Accreditation for Its Simulation Hospital

The Simulation Hospital at Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB) has been accredited for five years by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), a testament to the institution’s dedication to continual improvement. This certification covers all three campuses in Santiago, Viña del Mar, and Concepción, spanning the areas of Teaching and Education, from May 22, 2023, to December 31, 2028.

Carmen Gloria Jiménez, Dean of Quality Assurance at UNAB, emphasized that «the accreditation obtained demonstrates that the simulated health learning processes carried out in our hospitals have proven to enhance learning quality. They provide a safe practical experience, immediate feedback, an active and participatory approach, a variety of clinical scenarios, and the opportunity to practice interprofessional skills.»

«All of these aspects contribute to the training of more competent, confident, and prepared health professionals to face real-world challenges,» she added.

She also highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, «The Society for Simulation in Healthcare is a leading accrediting agency in the field of health simulation, dedicated to establishing standards and promoting excellence in education and simulation practice in the health sector.»

In the same vein, Dr. Pedro Uribe, former President and Director General of Clinical Education and Simulation of the Vice Provost’s Office at UNAB, said this accreditation aligns with the University’s international vision. This vision aims to validate its academic quality and processes beyond national borders. The University is accredited for eight years by the prestigious US agency Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), as well as having the design and implementation of its Internal Quality Assurance System accredited by Spain’s National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation (ANECA).

Dr. Uribe emphasized the importance of this recognition from a health education perspective, particularly in medical education, as it guarantees that the training obtained at UNAB’s Simulation Hospital is comparable to that received in similar centers in the United States. «This accreditation provides the opportunity to establish connections with similar exchange entities and prestigious universities around the world,» he added.

Dr. Rodolfo Paredes, Academic Director of Clinical Education and Simulation, explained that the accreditation is a signal of quality assurance in the logistical and academic processes of UNAB’s Simulation Hospital, through evaluation, research, promotion, and education, using simulation technologies and methodologies.

«The Simulation Hospital provides an integrative and excellent educational experience, incorporating innovation and research in teaching for undergraduate and postgraduate students, contributing to patient safety. Having this international distinction encourages us to continue improving our work,» he asserted.

Regarding the impact on UNAB students’ training and preparation, Dr. Paredes believes that the accreditation, along with the internal audit system SAIC and other control systems, allows for projecting health career academic programs, to provide increasingly better-prepared activities to support formative processes.

«Alongside the training of our professors, the support of equipment, technology, software, mannequins, supplies, and the entire Simulation Hospital team, we aim to enable health sector careers to train comprehensive students who contribute to our society and improve the health system in the country,» he added.

Accreditation Process

The accreditation process was based on compliance with the SSH’s standards. The UNAB Simulation Hospital submitted for consideration its organizational structure, management goals, student projection, and annual planning processes.

Additionally, the academic credentials of the Hospital’s academic team were highlighted, including certifications in clinical simulation and training from internationally recognized institutions such as the Harvard-MIT Center for Medical Simulation and the American Heart Association.

Across its three locations, the UNAB Simulation Hospital has over 4,200 square meters dedicated to clinical simulation. All its facilities feature state-of-the-art, high-fidelity technology capable of recreating any clinical experience. To date, seven programs utilize these facilities from the first year – Nursing, Medicine, Obstetrics, Medical Technology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Veterinary Medicine, and Chemistry and Pharmacy – which translates to over 11,000 students impacted in 2022.

The accreditation from the SSH strengthens its leadership in innovation and academic quality in the field of clinical simulation and contributes to the consolidation of quality clinical education that benefits the community and improves medical care in Chile.