Life-like mannequins provide hands-on training for nurses
The new simulation center uses life-like wireless mannequins to provide hands-on training for clinical skills in a safe, controlled environment.
Courtesy of Washington Health System From left, Gary Weinstein, Tom Northrop, Toby Rice, Aileen Rice, Kimberly Price, Carol Andy and Ralph Andy attend the ribbon-cutting of the Rice Energy Family Simulation Center at Washington Hospital.
Students in Washington Hospital’s School of Nursing as well as other health care professionals will have the opportunity to participate in life-like training sessions, thanks to the new Washington Health System Rice Energy Family Simulation Center.
According to a news release, the simulation center, which was opened during ribbon-cutting ceremonies Thursday, uses new, life-like wireless mannequins to provide hands-on training for clinical skills in a safe, controlled environment.
Mannequins include a portable adult male, a pregnant adult female which delivers a simulator baby and a young child.
The simulation center was established as an expanded multidisciplinary center to meet the training needs for the health system as a whole.
It will be used by Washington Health System School of Nursing students, WHS School of Radiology students, WHS Family Medicine residents, health system nurses and other clinical staff, other health care professionals, community organizations and emergency services.
The project also created new spaces designed to simulate realistic environments that will help with obstetrics, pediatrics, disaster training, emergency room and operating room scenarios.
The center was introduced Thursday with WHS leaders, members of the Rice family and other major donors.
“We’re always looking for ways to become a more active community partner,” said Toby Rice, president and chief operating officer of Rice Energy. “We supported this project because it aligns with our company core values, two of which are innovation and seeking excellence.
“The technology used in this center is nothing short of innovative, and it is providing a state-of-the-art learning experience for the students of Washington Hospital School of Nursing that wasn’t available in years past.”
Simulation learning provides a range of easily accessible and customized learning opportunities with the freedom to make mistakes and learn prior to actual care delivery. The center will offer the ability to create and simulate a variety of life-like scenarios such as complications during delivery to an adult experiencing a heart attack, that are controlled by an instructor via iPad.
There is also the ability to simulate specific skills competencies such as practicing to place an IV in an arm, wound dressing changes, or even learning how to obtain a blood pressure.
Chelsey Pernock, WHS coordinator of simulation operations, said the goal for the simulation center is to enhance teamwork, communication, assessment, critical thinking, and educational research for continuous improvement of educational methods.
WHS President and CEO Gary Weinstein said the new center will enable the health system to stay on the forefront of health care education and staff development.
The center was funded entirely through charitable donations. In addition to the Rice family, donors include the Washington Hospital’s Auxiliary, the Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation, Scott Electric, individuals donors and school alumni.
An open house for the public will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday.