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The Universe, October 814, 2013

New human-like mannequin comes to BYU College of Nursing

By BRYNNE TURVILLE
The BYU College of Nursing received a new computerized patient for its nursing simulation lab this semester. Debra Wing, assistant coordinator for the Nursing Learning Center and Simulation Lab, explained the functions and capabilities the lifelike mannequin performs. This new physiologically modeled, computerized mannequin can be programmed to simulate a variety of health conditions ranging from allergic reactions, pneumonia, heart conditions and more. It even has a pulse, a heartbeat and respirations. He is a great asset for the college, Wing said. We have been using high-delity simulation for over 10 years hospital room so students can now. experience patient care in However, the previous man- context. nequin, named Sam, develStudents can apply what they learn in oped computer the classroom problems and needed replacdirectly and in a safe environi ng. According to faculty ment, Wing and students said. in the college, S h e l b y the new manM i l l e r, a senior in the nequin came nursing pro just in time. Its capabiligram from Debra Wing Draper, said ties are more Assistant coordinator, her experiimpressive ; Nursing Learning Center it has newer ences are and Simulation Lab operating softinvaluable. ware and is The simuless difficult lation lab is to operate for a very structhose with limited computer tured, professional place. Facexperience, Wing added. ulty and students take these The simulation learning learning experiences very lab is designed to resemble a seriously because we know

tudents can apply what they learn in the classroom directly and in a safe environment.

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that one day, the simulations that are practiced will occur. When they do, well need to know how to handle them, Miller said. Wing explained that the mannequin can model basically any human function in a realistic manner. The mannequin, however, does not sweat or have skin discoloration. He oftentimes will wear wigs, have facial hair, tattoos or glasses to make the patient scenarios dif ferent, Wing said. When simulating a gastrointestinal bleed, personnel even use a perfume on the mannequin to resemble smells. The use of all of the senses recalls memory, she said. Students are responsible to respond appropriately to any condition the professors program the mannequin to perform. It is helpful to have patients with real situations, said Maggie Strike, a senior nursing student from Cincinnati, Ohio. You denitely feel the pressure. Nursing students are sent in teams to assess the patient as they would on the hospital f loor. The professors act as moderators and can even make the mannequin talk to the students as they help him. Cami Tranter, a senior nursing student from Sandy, said, It is really similar to hospital situations. You collaborate and learn to work as a team. The mannequin is not used for student testing, only for learning opportunities, both positive and negative. Wing said they debrief after each simu lation to discuss the errors and how they can be corrected in the future. Positive actions are also acknowledged and discussed in groups. You realize how you need to prioritize and double check, Strike said. It is really helpful to go through. Tranter describes her experiences with the mannequin as realistic and emotional. You can care for it like a human. W hen it dies because you

Photo by Ari Davis

BYU nursing students attend to symptoms simulated by the colleges lifelike mannequin.
didnt know what medications to use, you want to cry, she said. Sometimes you walk out of the lab stressed, other times relieved. Students are rst introduced to this resource in pre-nursing courses. We want to r u n t hem through a small experience to give the students a taste of what its like, Wing said. As the semesters progress, the fidelity level of simulation increases and becomes more intense. The $48,000 mannequin is kept busy through the semester. He is used extensively, Wing said. He will average about 2 0 0 30 0 hours each semester. T h e nu r si n g p r o g r a m and students said they feel blessed to learn in such an environment. We feel really grateful as students to have this learning resource; we do realize that they are very expensive and require a lot of time and energy to keep them running efciently, Miller added. The new mannequin is one of four in the lab. The faculty is currently planning a contest to 71430 choose a name for the humanlike simulator.

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