Clinical Skills and Simulation Laboratories Joseph Kelley, D.V.M. Simulation Laboratory • Large Animal Clinical Skills Laboratory
Clinical Skills and Simulation Laboratories

Lab Rules

Purpose of the Laboratories

The laboratories are designed for you to safely practice and enhance your clinical abilities, teamwork, and decision-making in a supportive and realistic environment.  The following rules have been enacted to ensure that the laboratories can serve as a learning and development resource for all members of our community.

Dress

  • Foot protection: Close-toed shoes with backs are required at all times. Croc-style footwear is not permitted.
  • Appropriate Attire: Clean scrubs or lab coats are required when working with live animals or cadavers.
  • Shoe Covers: Boots/shoes that have been worn to large animal labs or to shifts within the hospitals must be covered by boot covers before entering the lab.
  • Jewelry and hair: When working with live animals or cadavers, and when participating in fully immersive simulations, no dangling jewelry is allowed and long hair should be tied back.

Food, Drink, and Cosmetics

  • No eating or drinking: Eating or drinking in the lab is always prohibited.
  • Water storage: Water bottles with closed tops may be kept in personal cubbies but may not be consumed in the lab.
  • Cosmetics: Do not apply cosmetics while in the lab.

Behavior

  • Active participation: Be present, engage with your peers, and immerse yourself in the learning experience.
  • Respect for all: All participants, staff, faculty, live animals, and cadavers should be treated with respect. Unprofessional behavior will not be tolerated.
  • Simulated patients: All simulated patients should be treated with the same respect and professionalism as if they were live patients.
  • Ask for help: If you’re not sure how to use a piece of equipment, ask for help.
  • Follow all posted signs and directions: Follow all posted signs and directions from laboratory staff and faculty.
  • Keep it confidential: Make the learning process safe and respect the learning process of others by keeping simulation details and peer interactions private, discussing them only during specified debriefing sessions.
  • Emotional safety: Simulations can sometimes evoke strong emotions. If you feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable at any point, please inform your instructor or a facilitator immediately. Our team is here to support you and ensure a safe learning environment.

Accessing the Space and Learning Library

  • Self-guided study: Students, house officers, staff, and faculty are encouraged to use the lab and Learning Library resources for self-guided study whenever the space is not already reserved. No reservation is required for self-guided study.
  • Buddy system: Students accessing the lab during unstaffed hours must study in groups of at least two for safety.
  • Learning Library resources must stay within the lab: Do not take any Learning Library materials out of the lab without the approval of the Simulation Laboratory Manager.
  • Before you leave: Checkout (https://go.tufts.edu/SimCheckout) using the QR code available by the Learning Library.
  • Leave it ready for the next user: After use, ensure all equipment and supplies have been returned to their proper storage location, surfaces have been cleaned and disinfected, and the floor has been swept and mopped if dirtied.

Standard Operating Procedures

  • Follow all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Read and follow all applicable SOPs while in the lab, which are available on the Clinical Skills & Simulation Laboratories website (https://go.tufts.edu/SimSOP).

v2.0, Last updated: March 2, 2024