A baby has been brought into the Emergency Room. Her lips are turning blue. The resident knows there are only seconds to insert a breathing tube. At the same time, another resident races against the clock to treat someone who has gone into cardiac arrest.
By all accounts, these are real emergency situations; however, the patients, SimMan3 and Sim Newbie, have been programmed by the residents’ professors to “bring to life” realistic medical situations for the most practical training.
When Einstein’s multimillion dollar Simulation Center opens, SimMan3, Sim Newbie and the original SimMan, with their capacity to be programmed to recreate an almost unlimited number of medical challenges, will play a key role in many of Einstein’s education and research programs.
“The Simulation Center will add an unprecedented level of reality, accuracy and flexibility to our education programs throughout the Medical Center,” says Dr. Douglas McGee, Chief Academic Officer.
“The technology is so sophisticated it will be one of the most advanced, wellequipped centers of its kind in the region.”
The new 6,500square foot Simulation Center planned for the Einstein main campus will duplicate several hospital environments including an intensive care unit, a surgical suite, an obstetrics delivery area, and a typical patient’s room. Teachers will be able to evaluate residents, record their activities and monitor the students’ progress.
The three Sim units are so lifelike they can be programmed to moan, blink, tear up, sweat and exhibit other typical patient reactions. SimMan3 is programmed with drug recognition software and its “skin” can simulate wounds. Sim Newbie has a lifelike umbilical pulse and its lips can be programmed to turn blue requiring students to make quick decisions. A wireless connection to the critical care computer monitor makes it possible for teachers to move and reposition the “patient” to create reallife situations.
The Simulation Center will be an essential resource for all Einstein’s teaching programs and research projects, and a huge benefit to patients. “You wouldn’t want a pilot to practice emergency landings while you are in the plane,” says Dr. McGee. “You want them to learn first on a flight simulator. That’s what this is. Students will have the opportunity to learn and make mistakes and repeat different procedures until they achieve mastery before they ever treat a real patient.”
The hightech computerized Sim mannequins offer unlimited possibilities for students and faculty. “You can’t make a real patient become sick with a particular condition or show different symptoms,” explains Dr. McGee. “With the Sim mannequins, the faculty can create all kinds of complications, program them to have uncommon diseases and basically create a healthcare disaster to really challenge the students with complex and difficult circumstances, so that they are prepared for anything.”
Einstein’s firstyear residents will make intensive use of the Simulation Center to achieve competency levels before treating patients; the number of hours spent in the Center will vary by program.
However, they aren’t the only ones who will have the opportunity to develop their skills using the new technology. Surgical residents will be able to practice laparoscopic techniques and watch the A/V screen just as they would in an Operating Room.
In addition, Dr. McGee is exploring opportunities for community emergency service groups to learn new skills at the Simulation Center. “With this resource, we can train police, firefighters, paramedics and other first-responders on a variety of procedures,” says Dr. McGee. “Einstein will set new standards in community education and outreach. For our patients, our staff, our students and our community, the Simulation Center will put us ahead of the curve in education, research, and ultimately, patient care.”
Victor L. Johnson grew up in the computer business so it is no surprise that, during a lecture by a transplant specialist, his interest in merging medicine and technology was piqued. He then started on a quest to find technology that would enhance the training of Einstein’s residents and nursing students.
With his familyfunded Chair for Einstein’s Department of Medicine and his collaborations with Department of Medicine Chairman Steven Sivak, MD, Vic made possible the purchase of the first SimMan, a computerized mannequin programmed to provide realtime, humanlike feedback to various medications, procedures and techniques. “We set the pace for medical educational technology throughout the region,” says Vic.
Since then, Vic, who followed in his father’s footsteps as a Chairman and a member of the Board of Trustees, not only helped lay the groundwork to bring this technology to Einstein, but also laid the groundwork for the family to continue its relationship with Einstein and proudly notes that his daughter, Linda E. Johnson, is the third generation to serve on the Board of Overseers.
Now retired from JCI Data Processing, the local hightech firm he founded, Vic is generous with his time and expertise, participating in almost every trustee committee. His frequent contributions have supported numerous projects for the Department of Medicine. He continues to be an active advocate for and generous supporter of computerized evidencebased medicine at Einstein in order to ensure the very best in patient care.