Jennifer Rich-Neal
Published: October 11, 2006
The hands-on training students receive in The Center for Patient Simulation, Training, and Research helps prepare them for situations in a real emergency room.
“We believe that is the best way they learn,” said Rusty King, educational director for the center.
Today’s emergency rooms can be intense and require quick decisions. ÿTo properly equip PJC’s nursing students with life saving skills, the students are trained in a simulated environment. ÿThe “emergency room” at the Warrington campus looks much like what one would find at a real hospital. There is an information desk, an office for medical transcription, and many beds with patients.
The virtual environment has simulated patients, better known as SimMan. ÿOr, with the application of a wig (and other appropriate organs), it becomes SimWoman. ÿThese rubber and plastic “patients” are actually sophisticated training tools called High Fidelity Patient Simulators.
SimMan relies on the nursing instructor for personification. ÿThe instructor communicates through a computer or wireless handheld device similar to a Palm Pilot to give SimMan breath, a pulse, bowel sounds, dilated pupils, and even bodily fluids, such as blood and urine. ÿSimMan can even moan and talk in English or Spanish to give the student clues to what is ailing it.
“Students receive scenarios [of the situation] and the patient will deteriorate or improve according to the responses of the students,” nursing instructor Steven Hardin said.
Students can evaluate vital signs and practice tasks such as administering an IV and inserting a catheter. When done properly, the student receives the same results that can be expected from a human being – fluids are received from the IV and a catheter will yield urine flow.
SimMan responds to all treatment given by the student. ÿIt responds to all attempts to stabilize and resuscitate, even if that means shocking it with 360 volts. ÿThe simulators can also be treated with the application of oxygen, gases, and suction.
“An advantage of working with SimMan is the face-to-face time the students get to spend with the patient,” Hardin said.
Just as people come in all shapes and sizes, SimMan has peers that include other adults, a small child, and a baby. ÿThe most unique of the simulated patients is “Noel.” ÿWhat sets “her” apart is that “she” is “pregnant.” ÿNoel is equipped with a fully functioning uterus that contains a baby and a placenta. ÿNoel is scheduled to “give birth” later this month.
The virtual hospital contains 26 beds and a total of seven simulated patients. ÿThe set up of simulators is possible due to funds from the college and outside grants.
Noel came with a price tag of $50,000 and the other simulators cost about $35,000 each. The most modified of the group is “Frankie,” a simulator that is also run off of gases. “Frankie” is the most expensive SimMan with a price tag of $150,000.
King also added that students are given the opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them. Students that use the simulated patients leave the program to pursue jobs at hospitals, in long-term care, and home health.
When it comes to teaching life-saving skills, PJC’s nursing program offers the most advanced tools available in our area.
Noel will be “induced” on Oct. 23.ÿ In tradition, Noel will be given a “baby shower” at 10:30 a.m. on the same day at the center on Warrington campus. Gifts that are received from the shower will be donated to toys for tots at Christmas.