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Simulation Education and Training (SimET) Center

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

Mannequins perfect doctor and nurse skills. See the video, courtesy of KSAZ-TV

The new Simulation Education and Training Center (SimET) at Banner Good Samaritan provides the most modern educational tools for residents, medical students and nurses seeking to learn new techniques. Dr. Mark Smith, Medical Director of the SimET Center, expects to train up to 200 residents a year, plus nurses, technicians and other personnel for emergency/trauma cases.

"The SimET Center incorporates several components used to train our medical staff," says Dr. Smith. "Computerized mannequins are used to simulate emergency room and trauma scenarios. Virtual reality devices (similar to video games) can help physicians – new or experienced – learn the latest techniques and tools, especially in laparoscopic or minimally invasive procedures."

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 allows
residents, fellows and surgeons to
train for new minimally-invasive and
laparoscopic procedures using a
combination of computerized
mannequins and virtual programs.

The computerized mannequins, which are also used for training physicians, nursing staff and technical staff, are 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 is part of the center so that trainers can help train health professionals in distant locations.

Another component of training involves 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 SimET Center, they can train together on a computerized mannequin.

Dr. Smith adds that as athletes practice, firefighters train, and actors rehearse, so doctors should also perfect their craft before they head into the medical theater.

"SimET brings the level of the trainee to a level of proficiency much more quickly and effectively," he says. "And by doing so it improves the quality of care provided the patient."