Simulating reality to learn life-saving skills

Simulating reality to learn life-saving skills

Long before commercial pilots get in the cockpit of a plane full of passengers, they log countless hours of flight time, many of those in-flight simulators. The real-life scenarios presented in simulation without the risk of damaging or downing a plane are invaluable. Nursing, nurse practitioner and physician assistant students benefit from simulated environments as well. Through simulation-based learning, graduate students experience clinical-care situations in real time without risking safety.

Once they leave the clinical setting, students and faculty review their actions and ask questions in a debriefing that provides a deeper understanding of the students’ roles and decisions.

“The simulation ensures students experience both typical health care situations and those that not all students encounter before they graduate, like a person nearing the end of life and dying,” says Terri Harvath, executive associate dean. “The suites create a fluid interchange between all aspects of their education.”

Read more about simulation education at the School of Nursing. »

Home Health Simulation Suite

Home Health Simulation Suite

This one-bedroom apartment suite is used to prepare health professionals to care for people in their homes. Half walls and high-tech debrief area promote watch-and-learn activities. Features include:

  • Full-functioning kitchen and bathroom
  • Stairways, ramps and other mobility challenges
  • Fully furnished rooms to mimic common home environment

Primary Care Simulation Suite

Primary Care Simulation Suite

In this suite of 15 exam rooms, each complemented by a debrief room, future health providers learn how to care for and communicate with patients and families, and then discuss decisions made after the clinic encounter. These experiences develop critical-thinking and decision-making skills. Features include:

  • Realistic environment including waiting room
  • High-tech audio-visual capabilities with connectivity between exam and debrief rooms
  • Supports use of both high-fidelity manikins and patient actors

Hospital Ward Simulation Suite

Primary Care Simulation Suite

Through simulation-based learning, students experience clinical-care situations in real time. Simulations range from common, clinical procedures to responding to rare and complex health conditions or life-threatening emergencies. Features include:

  • 8-bed hospital ward
  • 1 intensive care room
  • High-tech audio-visual capabilities to promote watch-and-learn activities

Task Training Lab

Primary Care Simulation Suite

This lab provides flexible space for students to learn basic skills, such as suturing, starting an IV or placing a catheter. Many clinical tasks require repeated practice of a specific skill. In this lab, students use lifelike models of body parts or specific devices, called task trainers. These trainers break down a specific task into easily grasped actions. Features include:

  • Space to accommodate several students practicing a skill repeatedly
  • Storage facilities for multiple training devices and materials
  • Flexible space to support both individual and multiple group functions