Feb. 6, 2009

From manikin to medical professional

Our complex health care environment demands that nurses quickly assess their patients and make appropriate, sometimes split-second, clinical decisions. A new simulation education centre, opening today at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Nursing, offers nursing students advanced new tools designed to prepare them for any situation.

Nursing students adjust a patient's oxygen tube.
See a selection of photos. / Photo: Ken Bendiktsen

Two of these suites are home to high-level patient simulators; computerized physiologically sophisticated manikins who breathe, blink, have heart sounds, pulses, body fluids and—through the voice of the controller—are able to speak. Each suite is equipped with multiple cameras and a system to allow for event recording and debriefing.

“We are truly excited about the added dimension simulation will bring to both our undergraduate and graduate students,” says Leanne Wyrostok, director of the centre. “We are creating the conditions for innovative student experiences. Our new patient simulators may be programmed to replicate scenarios that occur in a variety of actual health-care settings.”

The complexity of the clinical situations can be manipulated according to the level of the students and curricular objectives. Students can be presented with potentially critical health events, such as an anaphylactic reaction, in a controlled and supported environment that is free of risk to real patients.

“It’s as close to a real experience as we may get before we start our careers,” says fourth-year student Victoria Friesen.

“We have to intervene in real time and it demands that we apply the knowledge and clinical reasoning skills that we would have to use at the bedside to achieve the best possible outcomes for the patient.”

Alan Harrison, U of C provost and vice-president (academic), says the centre will help the Faculty of Nursing recruit the best students and help engage them inside and outside the classroom.

Colleagues discuss simulation experience in one of the debriefing rooms. See a selection of photos.
/ Photo: Ken Bendiktsen

“This facility is a stellar example of a learning environment that promotes student engagement through experiential or hands-on learning. Experiential learning hones information-gathering, flexibility and critical thinking skills, which are increasingly important to a student’s success—pre- and post-graduation.”

The debriefing rooms are also an important feature of the new centre. Because all the scenarios can be digitally recorded, students are able to review their work and, with faculty guidance, reflect on their experiences.

All first year students in 2009 will be using the simulation centre’s learning resources. “We are working toward providing every student in our faculty with the opportunity to practise their skills and enhance their knowledge through involvement with this innovative teaching approach,” says Wyrostok. “Additionally, the possibilities for inter-professional collaboration are exciting.”

Media are invited to the CSLC’s grand opening Friday, Feb. 6 at 1 p.m. Members of the public are invited to tour the centre on Saturday, Feb. 7 between 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. The centre is located on the main floor of the Professional Faculties Building on the U of C’s main campus.