Simulation Education Center to be established at Banner Good Samaritan

Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center
1111 E. McDowell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85006

Contact: Craig Fischer
(602) 239-4725

What's Simulation Education? See the video, courtesy of KPHO-TV

PHOENIX (March 31, 2005) – New medical residents at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center will be among the first physicians to benefit from a new state-of-the-art Simulation Education and Training Center (SimET Center). The estimated $2 million center will become an integral part of their training in their chosen medical specialties. Prior to touching a patient, these residents will have treated highly sophisticated computerized mannequins by starting their IVs, inserting chest and breathing tubes, administering medications and performing other common procedures.

Simulation education will allow residents,
fellows and surgeons to train for new minimally-
invasive and laparoscopic procedures using a
combination of computerized mannequins and
virtual programs. (University of Michigan photo)

The computerized mannequins, which will also be used for training physicians, nursing staff and technical staff, will be part of a 3,000 square-foot center featuring state-of-the-art simulation education technology to help train surgeons in a variety of laparoscopic surgical techniques. Additionally, a telemedicine capability will be a part of the center so that trainers can help train health professionals in distant locations. It is anticipated that the center will be operational in early June.

"This is an exciting development for the physicians, residents and nursing staff of this hospital," said Mark Smith, M.D., medical director of Telemedicine at Banner Good Samaritan, who is coordinating the development of the Center. "There has been a rush of publications in medical and technical journals recently that clearly demonstrate the impact of simulation education as it relates to improved safety in hospitals.

Another component of training will involve hospital code teams. These teams come together when a code is called from different points in the hospital to revive a patient whose heart has stopped. Traditionally, members of these teams train within their own discipline and come together only when a code is called. In the simulation education center, they can train together on a computerized mannequin.

The SimET Center will be the fundraising focal point for Banner Good Samaritan's annual charity ball, Candlelight Capers, scheduled for Dec. 3, 2005.

Located in downtown Phoenix, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center has been providing medical care since 1911, and is a flagship hospital within Banner Health. Licensed with over 625 inpatient beds, Banner Good Samaritan is a teaching hospital that trains more than 220 physicians annually. Today, nearly more than 1,700 physicians representing nearly 50 specialties work with Banner Good Samaritan staff to provide care to more than 35,000 inpatients each year.