Simman

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6159537229536207250
http://www.meti.com/products_metivision.htm?gclid=CKnGm6DzrpQCFQNfFQodkHdttA

http://www.med.uc.edu/clinicalskills/SimMan_Orientation.pdf

SimMan features include:

• Full scale patient simulator which allows you to perform relevant ALS skills and scenarios.• Interactive manikin which gives you immediate feedback to interventions.
• SimMan’s enhanced airway offers realistic anatomical landmarks allowing the learner to acquire the necessary skills for accurate placement of airway management devices such as Endotracheal Tubes, Laryngeal Mask Airways and CombiTubes.
• SimMan’s patented airway system allows accurate simulation of most relevant difficult airway management scenarios.
• Bronchial tree is anatomically accurate in size, colour and texture and features the accurate anatomical landmarks necessary to facilitate realistic fiberoptic bronchoscopy.
• Needle and Surgical Cricothyrotomy.
• Spontaneous breathing.
• Adjustable lung resistance.
• Realistic practise of needle thoracentesis and chest tube insertion.
• Anatomical and physiologically correct carotid, femoral, brachial, radial, bilateral dorsalis pedis and posterior tibialis pulses.
• Pre-programmed library of heart-lung, bowel and vocal sounds with adjustable sound volume.
• Instructor real time voice input through microphone will simulate live communication between patient and care provider.
• Blood pressure may be taken automatically, palpated or auscultated; Krotkoff sounds are synchronised with pulse.
• IV training arm allows practice of peripheral intravenous therapy.
• Interchangeable pupils offer normal, constricted and dilated pupil sizes.
• Realistic male/female genitalia facilitate urologic procedures.

Portable and Flexible

The Laerdal SimMan System is portable and flexible, which allows use in various simulation settings. SimMan can be used in the field for realistic EMS and military scenarios. SimMan can also be transported from the field to the ED or OR in order to simulate the transfer of care from prehospital to hospital clinical settings. Minimal connections, plus laptop and PDA (see now I know what this is used for thanks to my instructors) controls allow for quick and easy set-ups and transfer.

Robust and Reliable

A robust design and durable parts allows SimMan to withstand the rigors of extensive field based simulations, while meeting the advanced clinical training demands of pre-hospital, military and hospital providers. By using the optional wounds, trauma and bleeding control systems, SimMan can effectively imitate the wounds trainees are likely to experience in these environments.

With realistic anatomy, accurate clinical functionality and PC-software driven operation with integrated video-debriefing, SimMan provides numerous educational opportunities for healthcare professionals. Some of the many benefits of using SimMan in your training program:
Educational effectiveness – provides highly realistic patient simulation for the practice of teamwork, leadership and communication skills. Multi function use – facilitates training for a wide range of health care professionals encompassing all areas of patient care. Practice infrequently occurring scenarios – prepare the learners for the unusual or difficult cases they may face in real life.

SimMan Software

The new SimMan software and user interface allow for easy adjustment and management of all patient parameters during both simple and comprehensive training scenarios. An improved scenario editor program allows the educator to build advanced scenarios, allowing multiple alternatives and predefined changes to the vital signs. By using Handlers and Trends the educator can introduce multiple physiological and pharmacological changes into the simulation
Simulated Patient Monitor SimMan has a new simulated patient monitor. This touch
screen monitor provides concise clinical feedback of physiological parameters and emulates the
Philips IntelliVue patient monitors.To provide a realistic learning environment the patient
monitor may be customized to meet specific training objectives, and also to closely emulate other clinical patient monitor brands.

The 17" color LCD touch screen provides multiple simulated parameters each presenting multi level alarms. Snap shots of 12 lead ECG's and patient X-rays are also available to enhance the learning experience. Up to five configurations of the monitor may be created and saved, and the appropriate clinical parameters and monitoring curves can be edited to most conveniently meet your needs and learning objectives.

PDA

The PDA is easy to operate and gives the instructor wireless control of the SimMan systems functionality.

Questions:

Do you think the Simman would have been helpful to you when you were in clinical?

Do you think your facility can benefit from the use of a Simman?

Airway Management in the Pediatric Population

I have been working with the pediatric population for 10 years and I love it. The last 7 years have been in PICU. It becomes very intense at times but I enjoy the rush. I deal with intubated children everyday. I would like to share how to manage an airway on a child. I hope you enjoy it.

Airway Managemnet in the Pediatric Patient

•Majority of cardiopulmonary arrests in the pediatric population are caused by a primary respiratory causes.
•Maintaining an open airway is the key to success in pediatric resuscitation.
•Early intervention is the key to a good outcome, to correct inadequate oxygenation and ventilation.

Definition of Respiratory Distress

Respiratory distress is a clinical state characterized by increased respiratory rate
and increased respiratory effort, resulting in nasal flaring, retraction, and used of
accessory muscles. Respiratory distress can be associated with
changes in airway sounds, skin color and mental status.

Definition of Respiratory Failure

Respiratory failure is describe as a clinical state of inadequate oxygenation, ventilation
or both of blood.

Signs and symptoms of respiratory distress

•Grunting, mild muscle retraction.
•Tachycardia, tachypnea.
•Increase work of breathing, nasal flaring.
•Restlessness, agitation.
•Pallor.

Signs and symptoms of Respiratory Failure

•Hypoxemia, bradycardia.
•Muscle retractions, irregular breathing patterns, apnea.
•Weak pulses, poor skin perfusion.
•Lethargy to unresponsiveness
•Cyanosis.

Nursing Interventions

•Assess patient . Auscultate lungs. Look, listen and feel.
•Assess and monitor pulse oximetry. Monitor oxygen levels.
•Administer oxygen therapy as needed.
•Reposition patient. Supine, head midline and elevate head of bed 30 degree angle to facilitate ventilation.
•Calm patient, decrease anxiety. Continually update/educate family.
•Initiate chest physiotherapy and NT suction if applicable.
•Call MD. For further assessment.
•Chest X-ray.

Questions for thought:

Would you know how to take care of a child who is in respiratory distress?

Do you know ways to prevent children from getting respiratory infections?

A new era means new technology. I am proud to say that I have enjoyed the use of a PDA on my unit. The first time I used it, I said "Wow is advance technology great". On my units I saw PDA's help the nurses. You had the latest information at your finger tips. No leaving your bedside to look anything up. Why, because the latest information on drugs were just a few moments away. The use of PDA’s for drug reference information, patient information, and documentation,was the way to go. Plus, you could beam it to another person who had it. How great is that. It is actually quite comfortable to use. As for battery use, I never had a problem. Just remember to shut them off when not in use. These days there are so many different brands and prices that it can be affordable. To buy the the Drug PDA reference can be expensive, but you can beam a friend.

Here are some sites that you can go to: http://www.brazos-nurse.org/PDA_s___Nursing.html
http://www.medindia.net/pda/pda_nurses.htm

When I was a child, I never used a bicycle helmet before. These days, most people are using them. A few weeks ago, I went on a bike ride with my friend and her kids. When I put on the helmet, I did not know how to properly place it on. Her children showed mer the right way. Do you know how to place a bicycle helmet on properly?

Teach Your Kids

Safety

I have been a pediatric nurse for 10 years. When the weather gets nice, you see that everyone starts coming out from their homes. People enjoy taking walks, going to the park, riding bikes, driving long distances, go swimming, and enjoying cook outs. You also see more accidents. You see car accidents, bicycle injuries, falls, baseball accidents, fires, and swimming accidents. I am a BCLS instructor as well as a PALS instructor. My goal is to educate and hopefully prevent any accidents in the future. Each week, I would like to share a safety tip to anyone who is interested. If you have a safety tip you would like to share, please do.