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NMCSD Medical and Surgical Simulation Center Grand Opening Ceremony

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081217-02
Release Date: 12/17/2008 6:17:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jake Berenguer, Naval Medical Center, San Diego Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) opened its new Medical and Surgical Simulation Center (MSSC) Dec.12. The MSSC was a 2008 initiative and is the newest addition to the medical center's training and education arsenal.

Commander, NMCSD Rear Adm. Christine S. Hunter and Capt. Gregory Blaschke, MSSC medical director cut the ceremonial ribbon providing medical personnel the opportunity to test their skills on simulated patients.

"The simulation center uses high-fidelity human patient mannequins, 10 patient rooms and one operating room to train and assess the communication, interpersonal, professional, team work, physical exam and diagnostic reasoning skills of learners," said Blaschke. "It is anticipated to provide about 5,000 simulations per academic year and is open to all medical and nursing students, interns, residents, fellows as well as practicing professionals throughout the medical center."

According to Cmdr. Ramona Domen, assistant medical director for MSSC, this advanced technology allows hands-on medical training ranging from basic intravenous needle insertion to cardiac arrest resuscitation.

Some of the simulated patients are made for specific procedures such as laparoscopic surgery or bronchoscopy. All members of the medical team including doctors, nurses, interns, residents, and hospital corpsmen can utilize the MSSC.

"The MSSC provides an actual patient environment with real medical equipment to allow the users a feel of realism and maintain that sense of urgency that they need in real life situations," said Domen. "Students need to know how to react correctly, effectively and as a team to diffuse these problems."

The MSSC also contains 30 task simulators. Each task simulator allows practice for different skills such as suturing, spinal tap and intubation.

Users will be monitored from a distance by instructors who have the ability to instigate an emergency situation with each simulated patient by computer.

"The simulators are more than anatomically correct," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Leonard Ray, director of professional education leading petty officer. "They have drug reactions enacted by a computer that monitors the student's response. They have replaceable skin to practice injections and incisions. Some have pupils that dilate; they can bleed and even moan and cry."

Plans for the 10-room, $780,000 MSSC include a classroom where users will be observed as they perform medical tasks unaided and will be monitored to test critical thinking abilities. After the procedure is completed, users will be debriefed on performance, and the task outcome will be recorded in a student database. The main purpose of the MSSC is training and education. The simulators are a valuable tool for all levels, whether an intern is making his or her first incision or an experienced staff member practices a new procedure.

"This will benefit NMCSD immensely by helping to develop medical skills. Through training and repetition we can prepare the users for real life situations," said Domen.

For more news from Naval Medical Center San Diego, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcsandiego/