The SimMan patient simulator resembles a manikin but takes advantage of advanced software and computer interfaces to create an extremely realistic and programmable student learning experience.
"We are grateful for this gift from Carlisle Area Health and Wellness Foundation that has enabled HACC to purchase this extraordinary teaching tool," said HACC President Dr. Edna V. Baehre. The simulated patient places students farther ahead in a realistic, professional experience."
"Technology is such an important part of medical training, and we are pleased to help HACC continue its advancement in the development of a high quality healthcare workforce," said Bets Clever, executive director, Carlisle Area Health and Wellness Foundation.
"We believe SimMan will be an integral part of developing crucial decision- making skills for HACC students. We recognize this grant will improve both students' abilities and patient care quality throughout our region for decades to come," said Clever.
According to a recent landmark report from the Institute of Medicine in the US, "Healthcare is a decade or more behind other high-risk industries in its attention to ensuring basic safety." Use of patient simulation is viewed as an important part of the solution.
Benefits of simulation include realistic preparation for rare and difficult cases; errors are allowed; no harm to patients; identical scenarios can be repeated; and team interaction and leadership can realistically be practiced.
"We can offer students the most advanced techniques in patient care. Students will confront problems programmed into the 'patient' and learn how to administer appropriate care, which ultimately lowers the risk of medical errors," said Dr. Baehre.
The simulators have heartbeats, lung and bowel sounds. Students can practice inserting an IV, giving injections, intubation, catheterization, and other procedures.
Simulators can be programmed to display the symptoms of a variety of diseases. Special wound kits allow students to practice wound assessment, bleeding control, and infection prevention. Instructors can record voice messages for the simulator, allowing it to "talk" to the student.
Sophisticated computer software allows the simulator to respond to the care it receives. Students use appropriate and effective care and the "patient" improves. Likewise, symptoms will worsen if inappropriate choices are made. Unlike older practice manikins, which were static and unresponsive, the new patient simulators can be "healed" with proper care.
"Utilizing patient simulators will allow HACC students to strengthen clinical skills and improve their critical thinking skills, making them better prepared to enter our area's healthcare workforce," said Dr. Thomas Starke, HACC dean, Mathematics, Sciences and Allied Health.
"In addition, the patient simulator will improve student instruction by increasing consistency of practice and allow for more accurate assessment of skill competency," said Starke.