Amidst COVID-19 staffing and capacity challenges, health leaders across the country and at Peoria, Illinois-based OSF HealthCare could not ignore the grim reality that more needed to be done to stop pregnant women from dying.  

Nikki Delinski, DNP, RN, director of Education Operations, Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center, was enlisted by leaders to develop training that could reinforce standardized best practices across the Ministry. The two-part series included online education and on-site training so Mission Partners (employees) did not have to travel to the Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center in Peoria during the height of the pandemic, when clinicians were most needed at patients’ bedsides.  

The training was developed by nursing leaders, providers and educators over several months and focused on two well-known complications that offer the best chance of survival if treated properly: pregnancy-related hemorrhage and pregnancy-induced high blood pressure called preeclampsia. 

Many of the frontline caregivers provided valuable feedback after more than 500 in-person simulations.  

Newly-released research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms earlier studies that show 80% of the annual average of 700 pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. The agency’s data also revealed Black women are three times more likely than white women to die due to pregnancy-related causes. The evidence prompted OSF Innovation to look at using “in situ” or in-person simulations to train doctors, medical technicians, nurses, midwives and other medical providers.  Delinksi and her team organized simulations throughout the 16 hospitals and medical centers within OSF Healthcare. The education emphasizes early recognition of symptoms, teamwork, communication and a list of well-rehearsed treatments and interventions that represent best practices.  

In collaboration with the Solutions Design team and the Clinical Education team at OSF Ministry Services, the on-site training for maternal hemorrhage used manikins that simulated bleeding. But Delinksi points out that the simulation operations specialists redesigned the manikins to produce optimized symptoms, such as sweating, stress and real-life blood loss scenarios. 

“So it wasn't just a gush of blood. It was over time, and those nurses and physicians were able to then actually implement their interventions in the appropriate timeframe. They were able to use the supplies, rather than just saying, ‘Here I would do this,’ or ‘I would think about this.’” 

All too often, symptoms that follow the days, weeks and even months after delivery can be dismissed as simply a side effect of giving birth. Headaches are written off as caused by the stress of a new baby, lack of sleep or even a pregnancy loss. Vomiting could be caused by not eating well due to demands of being a new mom. But CDC research indicates slightly more than half of all pregnancy-related deaths happen seven days to one year after pregnancy. 

At OSF, Delinski and her team developed hypertension training that, used 40 specially-trained standardized participants (SPs), clinical actors who have studied and practiced the symptoms and also know the guidelines. Those SPs also participate in debriefings and often point out how certain actions or behaviors made them feel.  

Next steps will include recruiting SPs who more specifically reflect the diversity of the individual communities. 

“If we’re going up to Chicago to do some of these ‘in situ,’ these in-the-moment, in-the-environment simulations, what better way to portray realism than to have actual community members acting as those patients?”  

 Delinski believes educating the multidisciplinary teams that care for pregnant women can also help raise community awareness about the need to listen to the concerns of women who are pregnant or who have been pregnant during the last year and help them get the right care at the right time. 

"By our Mission Partners becoming more educated, it will help to educate our patients and the community. So when we’re gaining new information and new experiences, we will then naturally share those experiences and education with our patients [so they know what] signs and symptoms to look for and when to reach out for help.”  

The education team traveled some 15,352 miles to provide the on-site trainings with an average of four sessions hosted at each location to accommodate various shifts. OSF HealthCare has been collecting data to measure the impact of the training on outcomes. Cumulative measurements for blood loss have improved the past few measurement cycles, remaining at or above target levels. Some Birthing Center staff members also reported better teamwork and preparation for pregnancy-related medical emergencies. 

Video Clips with Nikki Delinski, Director of Education Operations, Jump Simulation & Education Center, OSF HealthCare

Nikki Delinski, DNP, RN, director of Educational Operations for OSF Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center in Peoria, Illinois, is among Training magazine’s 2022 Top 25 Emerging Training Leaders in the nation. Delinski was further recognized as ranking among the Top 5 Emerging Training Leaders based on her nomination submitted by a colleague.

Training magazine, a leader in professional development and training news, is a magazine and online website advocating for training and workforce development as a business tool. It annually recognizes training professionals who inspire and engage their organizations with exceptional leadership skills, business acumen and innovation. The winners have been in the industry for two to 10 years and demonstrate stellar leadership skills, business savvy and training instincts.

Delinski started as a critical care nurse scholar, product education specialist, then served as director of Clinical Professional Development for OSF HealthCare. She’s been in her current role since February of 2020, and has direct oversight of the 13-member Educational Operations team, and the 40+-member Standardized Participant Program of specially trained actors for simulations. The teams engage in project development, scheduling, delivery and evaluation, and support all on-site simulation-based events as well as the “in situ” (on site) events across the health care system.

In addition to leading Jump’s educational operations, Delinski also represents the simulation center on multiple task forces and workgroups in the advancement of education and training for the OSF HealthCare Ministry. Her nominator, Lisa T. Barker, MD, points out, “The pandemic limited in-person training and Delinski responded by revitalizing the ‘in situ’ program and leveraged teleconferencing platforms to deploy virtual communication training opportunities across the system, keeping all participants safe.”

Dr. Barker applauds how Delinski collaborated with system leaders and educators to champion the use of Jump’s simulation resources and technologies to maximize impact.

Delinski also streamlined the process for submitting proposed educational simulations to be more supportive of clinical educators and to be more responsive to the training needs of the organization. During Fiscal Year 2021, there was a 128% increase in project intake over the prior year that’s credited to process change. Fiscal Year 2022 is on track to increase an additional 37%.

Throughout her career Delinski has been a champion for innovative solutions to problems facing the health care industry and the communities served by OSF HealthCare. The Peoria, Illinois-based integrated health system operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis employs nearly 24,000 Mission Partners in 150 locations, including 15 hospitals throughout Illinois and Michigan.

“I am so honored to receive this recognition among peers who represent well-respected organizations such as Verizon and AAA Motor Club,” says Delinski. “I feel blessed to contribute to advancing the education and training of care teams, support staff and community responders who are among the many who turn to OSF HealthCare for facilities, curriculum and immersive experiences that contribute to their knowledge and development in the medical community and other organizations.”

While honored to be recognized as a Top 25 Emerging Training Leader, Delinski also gives credit to the teams around her and the partnerships formed with other organizations that have allowed her to grow opportunities for OSF Mission Partners (employees) and other medical providers, schools, businesses and non-profits.

“Achieving this is really a reflection of those around me who embrace our culture of innovation. They are excited to explore new ways of presenting information and I credit all the partners that have been willing to trust us with their training and professional development and contributed to where we are today,” adds Delinski.

Lorri Freifeld, editor/publisher of Training magazine, says, “Despite continued turbulent times, the 2022 Emerging Training Leaders steered their organizations to optimal employee performance and business success.  Their ability to navigate under pressure, adapt and respond to change and inspire their learners, direct reports and colleagues is impressive.

“We salute these leaders who put their hearts and souls into training and charting new courses for learning and development,” she adds.

The award winners will be profiled in the March 2023 issue of Training magazine and online at trainingmag.com. They also will be honored at an awards ceremony on February 13, 2023, at Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort during the Training 2023 Conference & Expo in Orlando, Florida.