Banner Health’s Simulation Education and Training Center celebrates its first year

PHOENIX (Sept. 1, 2007) - Banner Health’s 5,000-square-foot Simulation Education and Training Center (SimET Center) at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center opened its doors to physicians, nurses, residents, ancillary staff and community first responders more than one year ago on Sept. 1.

Physicians and resident
practice techniques on the
SimET's mannequins before
using the same skills with
their patients.

The concept of the Center was proposed to Banner Good Samaritan’s leadership team nearly three years ago by Dr. Mark Smith, medical director, SimET Center, Dr. John Ferrara, medical director, Trauma Services, Dr. Alan Leibowitz, program director, Internal Medicine, and Dr. John Mattox, program director, Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Since then, there have been 30 educational programs developed, plus other existing classes, including Advanced Cardiac Life Support, ED Ultrasound and Labor and Delivery Academy. To date, 3,823 health care providers have been trained in the Center. Eighteen percent were physicians, 57 percent were nurses and 25 percent were categorized as “other” (i.e. respiratory therapists, community first responders, etc.).

More than 60 residents also rotated through the SimET Center in its first year. The residents were introduced to a central line course, airway management, infection control and participated in mock code arrests.

“This has truly been a gratifying year for our team in the Center,” said Smith. “We are thrilled that the Center has been utilized by so many Banner employees and we hope to continue to expand the classes and programs we offer to benefit a variety of specialties and disciplines.”

Under the direction of Smith and Carol Noe, director of operations, the SimET Center hopes to help to increase the integration of standardized simulated education across Banner. As for the SimET Center, they anticipate training more than 5,000 health care providers by the end of their first full calendar year.

Located in downtown Phoenix, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center has been providing medical care since 1911, and is the flagship hospital within Banner Health. Licensed for 659 inpatient beds, Banner Good Samaritan is recognized as a Magnet™ hospital for nursing excellence and is ranked as one of America’s “Best Hospitals” by U.S.News & World Report. Today, more than 3,600 nurses and Banner Good Samaritan staff members work with more than 1,700 physicians representing nearly 50 specialties to provide care to more than 36,000 inpatients each year.

Contact:
Banner Good Samaritan Public Relations
(602) 239-4411