McLeod Health Opens New Simulation Training Lab

McLEOD REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER 29 MAY 2020

Pictured in the new McLeod Simulation Training Laboratory are Brittany McNair, MSN, RN, CMSRN, NPD-BC, Nurse Educator, Organizational Learning; Sandra Watson, RN, CDCES, Medical Surgical, McLeod Health Clarendon; Anita Diaz, RN, Medical, MRMC; Danielle Cooper, MSN, RN, CEN, Nurse Educator, Organizational Learning; Tracie Branch, RN, Medical Surgical, McLeod Health Cheraw; Michele Harris, BSN, RN, CDCES, Diabetic Educator, MRMC.

McLeod Organizational Learning has opened a new Simulation Laboratory in the McLeod Health Training Center on the campus of McLeod Regional Medical Center. This new area provides hands-on simulation training for new and current licensed and unlicensed staff including nurses, technicians, medical residents, pharmacy residents, medical assistants, respiratory therapy staff and HeartReach staff.

Part of this new Simulation Laboratory was the purchase of the Ares High Fidelity Simulation Manikin, provided by a grant through the McLeod Foundation. The new simulation manikin is programmed by McLeod Nurse Educators Danielle Cooper and Brittany McNair who can create just about any type of medical scenario experienced on a hospital floor. The Ares manikin lies on a hospital bed in a simulation room that looks just like a patient room in any McLeod hospital. With the Ares manikin, learners can practice intubation techniques, airway complications, defibrillations, emergency medication administration, CPR, 12 lead ECG display to identify cardiac arrhythmias, and teamwork which is essential during any code situation.

Orientation evaluation feedback received by McLeod Organizational Learning from staff indicated a need for more life-like tools, simulation and less lecture time. Currently, McLeod is the only hospital in the area with this state-of-the-art technology for employee education. The McLeod Organizational Learning team is grateful to the McLeod Foundation for helping improve employee engagement in education.