Seneca College’s clinical simulation lab provides “hands-on” learning for all nursing, critical care and emergency program students. High-fidelity manikins used in the lab include a baby, a child and three adults. In addition, there are six vitalsim manikins. Simulation Network of Information For Faculty: A “SNIFF” site has been developed on Seneca’s blackboard organization page, which provides a schedule for the simlab use as well as general information and current research articles related to simulation for all Seneca Nursing faculty. This site will ensure easy access to information and provide a method in which faculty can keep abreast of new changes in simulation.
Some features of high fidelity manikins:
High fidelity simulation allows the students to develop critical thinking, prioritizing and organizational skills in an environment that is both safe and effective. Students will work beside a manikin while a “real life” scenario unfolds. The manikins will breathe, talk or cry (baby), and simulate normal or abnormal heart, lung and bowel sounds. Students can check the “patient’s” pulses and blood pressure and assess what interventions need to occur. Various tubes can be inserted into the manikins, such as intravenous, nasogastric, endotracheal and urinary catheters. Critical care and emergency program students can connect ECG leads to the manikins and interpret the results on the “patient monitor”. In addition, the students can learn appropriate and effective defibrillation and pacing interventions. All students have an excellent opportunity to practice CPR on the manikins, which helps reduce anxieties usually associated with a “Cardiac Arrest” situation.
Some features of medium-fidelity manikins:
In addition to our high-fidelity manikins, the simulation lab also houses medium-fidelity vital sim manikins, which are operated by remote control. These manikins help students with assessment and tactile skills and are also capable of speech. Various body parts can be added to these manikins that simulate, for example, pregnancy and cancerous growths.
Seneca’s future growth:
Seneca’s exciting future expansion of the lab will serve to assist the community through the provision of training for industry collaboration, flight paramedics, police and fire.