Our Simulation Center (Sim Center) has a variety of simulators, from basic IV arms to computer-controlled mannequins.

Sim Man

Sim Man is an interactive patient simulator that is used to teach critical care skills, including recognition and treatment of a variety of emergency conditions, difficult airway management, trauma resuscitation and teamwork skills.

Examples of current curricula include:

• Pre-hospital basic life support and trauma assessment skills—What would you do if the man next to you on the subway passed out? (3rd-year medical students)
• BLS and ACLS skills—It’s 2 a.m. and the nurse calls you to see Mr. Jones, who is not responsive. What to do next? (4th-year medical students and interns)
• Critical Care Training—Your patient is severely short of breath. What’s wrong? What will you do next?
• Difficult airway training—A patient with an allergic reaction is having difficulty breathing. How do you approach this airway? (Residents)
• Teamwork training—Your critically ill patients needs IVs, airway management, medications and a blood transfusion. Who does that? How do you organize the team, create and express treatment priorities and make sure that you don’t miss anything? (residents)
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Noelle Birth Simulator

It’s the middle of the night, you’re the only doctor in Labor and Delivery, and a young woman, obviously pregnant, walks in and says she’s about to deliver. What do you do?

The Noelle Birth Simulator allows our students and residents to practice deliveries, understand the basics of the delivery process, recognize fetal or maternal problems and react appropriately. We can simulate many common perinatal complications and allow our students and residents to correct the problem on their own.
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Central Line Mannequins

Placement of central lines has traditionally been taught via the “see one, do one, teach one” method. The use of central line mannequins allows students to become familiar with the central line kit, relevant anatomy, patient preparation, Seldinger technique and potential complications in a non-threatening environment. We have 10 central line mannequins currently in use, which are available for student practice.

Our comprehensive curriculum introduces central line training for 3rd- and 4th-year students and provides advanced training with ultrasound guidance for interns and residents.

3rd-year students—Central Lines I – Introduction to central lines, central line kits and femoral access
4th-year students—Central Lines II – subclavian and IJ access
Residents—Central Line Review and Ultrasound-Guided Lines.
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Lumbar Puncture Simulators

We are in the process of purchasing several new lumbar puncture simulators! Our goal is to provide a curriculum for 3rd- and 4th-year medical students, teaching both supine and upright procedures. We are purchasing ultrasound-compatible models so that we can teach difficult LP access under ultrasound guidance as well.
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Airway Management Trainers

The Sim Center has several airway mannequins that are used to teach airway management, including the use of a bag-valve-mask and intubation. Static models allow novices to try basic intubation techniques. Dynamic mannequins can simulate conditions that make it hard to intubate, mimicking medical conditions, such as anaphylaxis (allergic reactions), spine injuries, abnormal airway anatomy. Students and residents can practice difficult intubations using a variety of airway tools, thus increasing their facility in managing this critical area.

Each year, the Department of Emergency Medicine and Anesthesia sponsor an airway day.
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Phlebotomy Models

Intravenous access skills are a requirement for medical students and interns. A phlebotomy skills class teaches arm and skin preparation, sterile technique, blood drawing and IV catheter placement. IV arm mannequins are available for student practice. In addition, the basics of arterial blood gas drawing and interpretation are taught.
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Fundoscopic Models

The Sim Center houses two fundoscopic models with interchangeable retina that demonstrate normal and pathologic retinae, retinal vasculature, disk and nerve pathologies. These can be viewed using standard ophthalmoscopes through normal or dilated pupils.

These models are used both to teach fundoscopic examination to first- and second-year medical students, as well as to illustrate the utility of fundoscopic evaluation for the diagnosis of pathologic conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, using case studies.
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Harvey - Cardiology (Heart Sounds) Trainer

Heart sounds give valuable diagnostic clues to patient disease. The difference between the murmurs of aortic stenosis and mitral valve insufficiency are enormous in terms of therapeutic differences. Harvey, an electronic heart sound generator, enables students to clearly listen to different sounds until the patterns become recognizable. Integrated into third- and fourth-year medical training, Harvey is useful not only as an introduction to sounds, but also as a confirmatory tool, once on the wards.
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