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Iowa Simulation Center: Simulation Lab
Students and residents gain skills and confidence in diagnosing and treating a wide range of cases on highly lifelike mannequins in an authentic clinical environment, before treating real patients.
Meet Noelle, Stan, Harvey and their fellow medical mannequins: These two standard adults, birthing mother, child and infant exhibit human physiologic functions such as reactive pupils, working tear ducts and heart and lung sounds. Lab participants can perform many common procedures such as starting an IV, obtaining a blood sample, inserting a catheter, giving medications, treating wounds and performing surgical procedures in response to the specific case they are running.
The simulations provide highly realistic, hands-on experiences that help students learn and practice before interacting with real patients. The lab and its equipment, personnel and even its sounds and smells mirror that of a functioning clinic. The lab includes two clinical rooms that allow several cases to be run simultaneously.
Cases typically last two hours and include 20 to 30 minutes of running the case, a 30- to 60-minute debriefing session with faculty and supervising physicians, and time for students to practice skills or repeat the case as needed. The main focus is to teach skills in managing a medical crisis with an emphasis on establishing and maintaining role clarity, effective communication and optimal personnel support.
In addition to DMU students, residents from surgical, internal medicine and family practice programs in central Iowa also train in the simulation lab. Current practitioners may find the simulation lab helpful for preparing for board recertification exams, soon to include scenarios with simulators. Plans include using the lab for medical students, residents, practicing physicians, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists, EMS personnel and military personnel.
