The Simulation Development and Cognitive Science Laboratory (Sim Lab) is a 3500 sq. ft area, which houses three teaching areas and a research/development area. The teaching areas are designed to be adaptable to varied teaching needs and styles. The laboratory features two adult and one pediatric METI Human Patient Simulators situated in realistic OR settings, two portable full body manikins (Laerdal SimMan and METI Emergency Care Simulator), a Noelle 575 Birthing Simulator, a Newborn Hal Simulator and virtual reality based stations, including a Head to Head system, a CathSim intravenous trainer and an AccuTouch Endoscopy Simulator (bronchoscope and colonoscope). An eXpert laparoscopic trainer with several surgical models and a full laparoscopic equipment cart are used along with surgical instruments and disposables for open and minimally invasive procedures. The lab contains several anesthesia machines, ICU ventilators, and a variety of monitoring equipment, including several Draeger Infinity monitors and a telemetry training station, a ProPaq monitor, Phillips HeartStart MRx defibrillators, and automated external defibrillators.
There are also several part task trainer teaching stations located in the lab. A full-sized non-reactive manikin, manikin heads, lung simulators, and non-anatomic models teach respiratory anatomy and physiology, bronchoscopy and airway management. Models to practice establishing peripheral, central venous and intraosseous access and spinal and epidural procedures are available, as is a pneumothorax model. Computer tutorials and educational programs are loaded on the computer workstation. A collection of instructional video tapes is maintained as well.
Adjacent to the lab is Anesthesiology's 1200 sq. ft full conference room / library containing equipment for presentations. This facility is often used in conjunction with the lab to give presentations, then allow the skills described in the lecture to be practiced on the models. It can also be used as a debriefing area. When used in conjunction with the lab's video setup, large group teaching can also take place here.
The Sim Lab is used formally for clinical skills labs, teaching operation and troubleshooting of currently used monitors and equipment, in-services on new equipment, instruction on diseases and their treatments, and refresher training in BLS and ALS. ACLS practice and training is currently being conducted by Emergency Medicine for Pre-Hospital personnel. Anesthesiology uses the lab for ACLS recertification. Crisis Resource Management (teaching group dynamics, communication and teamwork during a crisis) is regularly being offered to many departments. Other departments also undergo training periodically. Informally, the lab is used to review unusual events or disease states, learn more about a procedure, add new techniques, and to hone already established skills.
In addition to the many teaching opportunities in the lab, there is a co-mission of educational development. Members of the lab's core staff are generating and modifying new curricula. The lab originated the First Three Days in Anesthesiology and the First Three Days in Surgery, a novel approach to resident orientation. These First Three Days programs have been successfully transferred to institutions around the world. Other examples of new curricula include Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine incorporating simulation training into the first couple of months of their residency programs. Several Nursing areas have improved their curricula by adding orientation programs, rare event training, and skill assessment sessions.
Penn State Hershey hosted a group of anesthesiologists from South America for a 3-day workshop to prepare them for work with Operation Smile. Pat McQuillan arranged the course to provide both didactic and hands-on simulation practice of skills needed to work in unfamiliar locations and with the portable equipment used by Operation Smile. Faculty experts from the Hershey Medical Center and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia participated and the Hershey Simulation Lab was used for skills practice and teamwork skills sessions. The next course will occur in June 2009.
The Sim Lab has institutional support from both the college and hospital, and greater than hospital-wide use. People in many other clinical areas are trained, including Emergency Medicine, Trauma Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, General Internal Medicine, Radiology, Pre-Hospital Services (EMT's, LifeLion flight crews, etc.), and Patient Transport. Medical students receive training as part of their curriculum. Nurses receive advanced training here as well. Outside groups include ambulance crews from nearby towns, local high school students (orientation / introduction to medicine), and medical equipment and supply companies (in-service education for company representatives and developmental research).
The lab is open for self-learning anytime for medical and nursing students, residents, and faculty from any department.
