SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y., opened an $11 million simulation-based teaching center to improve patient safety and care delivery.
The 8,600-square-foot center offers health professionals and students the chance to train using simulations of medical emergencies. The center includes a simulated operating room; six simulated acute care rooms that can be configured into intensive care unit or outpatient rooms; two 16-person skills and task training rooms; and two debrief rooms.
The center also has eight high-tech manikins that can be programmed to simulate a wide range of medical complications, such as breathing difficulties and cardiac issues.
"Simulation has been used in aviation for many years, and has now been fully embraced in the education of doctors, nurses and many other healthcare professionals," said Lynn Cleary, MD, vice president for academic affairs at SUNY Upstate Medical University. "It is known to improve clinical competence of trainees and has been shown to improve patient care outcomes as well."
Medical students can use the center to enhance their skills with hands-on training, while faculty and healthcare providers can use the center to review training protocols and test new operational or clinical processes.