Humanitas University’s Simulation Center receives SESAM accreditation

Humanitas University’s Simulation Center has been awarded full accreditation by the European Society for Simulation in Medicine (SESAM). This recognition is one of the most authoritative international certifications in the field of medical education through simulation. It acknowledges the center’s excellence, not only in terms of technological resources but also in its educational quality, clinical impact, and methodological integration in training programs for students, residents, and specialists.

Today, Humanitas University is the only university in Italy to hold this accreditation. This achievement is part of a broader strategy aimed at developing advanced teaching methods focused on patient safety, interdisciplinary training, and educational research. This accomplishment places the Simulation Center among a select few in Europe.

An accreditation based on quality and educational integration

The SESAM accreditation was granted after a process lasting approximately three years, which assessed teaching methods, educational principles, organisational structure, and the criteria for monitoring and improving training programs. This first phase was followed by a visit from an international commission, which observed activities firsthand, met with stakeholders, and verified adherence to international best practices.

“This is exactly what differentiates the SESAM accreditation from other recognitions,” explains Dr. Stefania Brusa – scientific coordinator of the Simulation Center and anesthesiologist at IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas. “We are not just a technologically advanced center; what we do is scientifically grounded in line with the highest international standards. Our goal is to be a reference point at the national and European levels, able to train healthcare professionals who are well-prepared, aware, and focused on patient safety.”

The SESAM accreditation adds to other accolades received by Humanitas University, such as the Aspire Award for Simulation in Healthcare Education, presented by the AMEE – Association for Medical Education in Europe, for excellence in curriculum design.

Simulation between training and patient safety

The Simulation Center at Humanitas University is not only dedicated to teaching for the Medical School and Health Professions degree programs but also serves as a strategic tool for clinical safety. The simulated activities, many of which are carried out in collaboration with the hospital’s risk management team, allow for testing skills, behaviors, and processes in controlled and realistic environments, helping to reduce the risk of errors in daily practice.

As Dr. Ana Carolina del Pozo – International Relationship Manager of the Simulation Center and coordinator of the accreditation process, explains, “Simulation is not just about learning a technique. It’s about making decisions in complex situations, working as a team, and managing communication during critical moments, developing skills that enhance safety in healthcare settings.”

Numerous scientific studies confirm that simulation-based learning is significantly more effective than traditional lectures, with retention rates for knowledge reaching up to 75% of the content taught, compared to an average of 5-10% in traditional lectures. This impact spans all stages of healthcare training, from the early years of undergraduate programs to specialization and beyond.

HAL: a new full-body simulator for emergency management

To further strengthen Humanitas University’s commitment to advanced simulation, the Simulation Center has introduced an exciting new addition to its equipment: “HAL,” a next-generation full-body simulator.

Equipped with artificial intelligence for realistic vocal and physical interaction, the simulator offers a high-fidelity experience, including the ability to turn and display facial rim deviations, a characteristic symptom of conditions such as stroke, hemifacial spasm, and facial paralysis. Thanks to these features, the new simulator will enhance the simulated education offering, particularly in emergency management scenarios.