Exton, Pa. (June 14, 2013) Education Management Solutions (EMS) congratulates Virginia’s Centra Health and Lynchburg College (LC) on the recent dedication of the Central Virginia Center for Simulation and Virtual Learning, which will be managed jointly by the two institutions.
Nursing students are required to acquire a certain number of hours of hands-on experience in hospitals and clinics before degree attainment. Now, 20 percent of those hours can be earned by practicing in this new medical simulation center.
“Simulation is the latest and most effective type of education in which students can intervene, make decisions, and take actions in a highly controlled environment,” says Patti McCue, Sc.D., R.N., MSN, NEA-BC, Centra senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer. “The process allows the creation of clinical situations that could not be created in a hospital setting. It also is an excellent way to teach and promote patient safety. Students can practice in a controlled environment before working with actual patients. In addition to students, current health professionals have the opportunity to use the center for advanced technical skill development and to improve communication and collaboration skills as part of a team.”
Phase 1, which occupies about half of the more than 15,000 square-foot center has been completed and consists of five acute care inpatient rooms, one critical care inpatient room, one labor and delivery birthing suite, two primary care exam rooms, one home health apartment, and an ambulance venue.
EMS’ Orion solution, the most technologically advanced simulation management and audio-video system for capturing simulation activities, debriefing, and skills evaluation is integrated into the simulation areas of the first phase. Johanna Derrenbacker, director, Central Virginia Center for Simulation and Virtual Learning, states, “We are really excited to start working with our system. We wanted to make sure we had a state-of-the-art, most up to date system. EMS’ Orion really fits that description.”
Derrenbacker continues, “I am amazed by the flexibility Orion has to offer faculty and learners. They can really use the system as little or as much as needed based on their need. If there is a need, Orion can fulfill it.”
Computerized simulation manikins will also be used as part of the overall training. The manikins simulate human actions such as breathing, heart and lung sounds, speaking, crying and other specialized functions.