PHOENIX — A group of visitors gathered around a crib to watch a plastic dummy move its arms and legs. They were surprised to see how the manikin – called a SimBaby – responded like a real infant.
“They look so lifelike,” Lisa Seery, one of the visitors, observed. “The way their eyes follow and blink is so amazing.”
This Simulation Center is the newest addition to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. It is a training facility designed to provide hands-on learning for healthcare professionals, according to a press release.
According to Dr. Matt Carter, medical director for simulation at PCH, these extremely realistic manikins give nurses, physicians, residents and fellows a chance to practice rare but high-risk situations before they encounter them in real life.
Carter said simulation has become an essential part of pediatric education because it provides clinicians with a controlled environment to build confidence.
This type of training is especially important when it comes to emergency care – when doctors and nurses need to act quickly under pressure.
“It’s very critical that people respond quickly and appropriately,” he said. “And if you haven’t had the chance to practice that a lot, that’s a big ask.”
PCH recently opened the center, which features five simulation suites – two adapted for intensive care, three for acute care, five debriefing rooms and a control room to make it look like a real hospital environment.
The facility is equipped with advanced technology and different types of simulators. The manikins have been assigned names like Premature Infant Paul, SimNewB, Advanced Pediatric Hal, SimMan Critical Care and Nursing Anne.
“It was interesting to watch seemingly human characteristics,” Dinessa Solomon, senior director at PCH Foundation, said.
The center has high-fidelity, medium-fidelity and low-fidelity manikins to support clinical training.
The simulators come in different types. High-fidelity manikins are the most realistic ones. They can simulate patient responses like changes in breathing, heartbeat and other vital signs. Medium-fidelity manikins are less advance but still mimic some patient vital signs. Both are operated under the supervision of a Sim Educator.
The low-fidelity manikins are primarily used to perform basic procedures like CPR and ventilation.
Every room has cameras and microphones that record scenarios, which allows instructors to review their performance during debriefings.
Simulation program manager Amber Senetza explains that the instructors monitor training sessions through live audio and video recordings from patient rooms to enhance their understanding of patient care.
“Coming to this space to be able to practice those skills, critical thinking skills or procedural skills, and then to be able to leave with confidence to take better care of patients, I think is a truly incredible thing,” Senetza said.
The center also offers educational services, equipment rentals and curriculum support. Staff can train with infant, pediatric and adult simulators as well as specialized task trainers for vascular access, CPR and wound care.
Lindsay Metzger, clinical education specialist at PCH, said simulations create safe environments where medical professionals learn from their mistakes and promote better collaboration among clinical teams.
“It is a bit more muscle memory when they encounter a real patient,” Metzger said. “And it’s less anxiety-provoking because they’ve already seen it in a safe space and a calm environment.”
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