University of New England

COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS
Clinical Simulation Program

The Clinical Simulation Program, located on the Westbrook College Campus, uses ‘high fidelity’ patient simulators placed in realistic clinical settings to create a wide variety of learning opportunities.  Clinicians and health profession students become immersed in patient care scenarios in settings that mimic real life patient environments.  Clinical skills are safely practiced and mastered without putting patients at risk.

Guided by skilled instructors, students experience situations that are tailored to learning needs and are be provided opportunities to experience difficult or rarely seen case presentations.  To further enhance learning, digital recordings of clinical simulations may be created and reviewed at the conclusion of each session.
Students use these high-fidelity patient simulators to learn to recognize problems and increase their critical thinking skills. They can practice a wide variety of assessment skills and gain experience performing technical skills such as inserting IV lines or nasogastric tubes, treating wounds, performing CPR and practicing catheterization. 

The Clinical Simulation Program provides customized training and education programs for health professionals from a wide range of organizations and healthcare institutions. This program is unique among simulator training programs in northern New England because of the focus on a multi-disciplinary approach ( I2H2) to training.

High Fidelity Patient Simulators

The Center’s high fidelity patient simulators  are full sized computer-driven mannequins designed to create hands on experiences that are “true- to-life.” 

• They have pulses that can be felt and airways that allow for intubation and practice of advanced life support skills. 
• These mannequins will respond physiologically to the administration of drugs, and the patient simulators can be programmed to  manifest vital signs consistent with a variety of physiological conditions.
• Most simulators can be defibrillated, paced and cardio-verted.
• EKG equipment can be attached and used for monitoring.
• Injured, burned or impaled body parts can be interchanged to create realistic trauma situations.

Clinical simulation with high fidelity patient simulators is an effective tool for building clinical care, team and critical thinking skills.  Students and faculty are able to focus not only on skill development but also on providing safe and compassionate care.