Patient simulators aid skill development

Every medical professional at REVA Air Ambulance recently received additional medical training through the use of human patient simulators, after which the company said: “Utilising this innovative technology prepares our employees to more effectively respond to emergency situations. Totalling over 200 medical professionals, they train with life-size human patient simulators that mimic life-threatening conditions and endure invasive procedures without a whimper. Training in this environment is critical in helping our medical staff deliver medical oversight, monitoring, and emergency care that is unsurpassed aboard North America’s largest fleet of air ambulance jets.”

REVA’s programme director Lesa Armstrong said that the company invested $50,000 in four programmable mannequins as an alternative to training medical crew off-base, where training costs around $6,000 per group session, and there are about 30 such sessions each year. Armstrong added that the cost savings are secondary to the quality of training provided by the simulators, and went on to say: “Not only is the overall quality of the medical training experience improved, but we can now train on site at every REVA base and installation, making it easier to conduct annual updates and re-certifications.”

The patient simulator used has a programmable, micro-manageable air compressor that supports 12 pulse points synchronised to the heart rhythm. REVA trainers can also program the ‘brain’ of the simulator (nicknamed Stewie) to produce additional scenarios or medical emergencies. “When practitioners can see a ‘patient response’ immediately, the training outcomes can be directly tied to patient care and safety,” said Armstrong. “That benefits patient and providers on every possible level – from direct medical intervention to the intangible qualities such as doing what we do with a heightened awareness of safety, competence and caring.”