Human Patient Simulator trains EMS

Human Patient Simulator Photo: Times photo by Cherri Crockett

Rob Dixon of Andover places a breathing tube in the trachea of the Human Patient Simulator that recently traveled to Med-Care Ambulance in Mexico. Nurses from Rumford Hospital and EMS workers at Med-Care and surrounding towns took advantage of the day-long training.

Behind the scenes Photo: Times photo by Cherri Crockett

Rick Simpson works behind the scenes as the operator of the Human Patient Simulator. He is surrounded by monitors that allow him to see, hear and react to whatever the trainees are doing on the subject in the next room.

MEXICO- During National EMS Week, May 15 – 21, Med-Care Ambulance Service was home to the Human Patient Simulator, courtesy of Lifeflight Foundation of Maine. The simulator travels throughout the state to help train EMS and hospital workers how to better assess and treat accident victims.
“It's really pretty realistic,” noted Michelle Gilbert, an RN at Rumford Hospital. “You get a great sense of the real thing when you're working on the dummy. It's been an eye-opening experience.”

Hidden in the back of the mobile unit was Rick Simpson with computer screens that monitor the simulation dummy's vital signs, toxicity levels, a screen to view the actual proceedings, a microphone and ear piece to converse and a remote to make the simulator react to procedures.

“We travel everywhere from Bridgton to Calais,” noted Jeremy Nadeau, assistant to Simpson. “The simulator allows us to travel to the various communities, cross-train hospitals with EMS and gives the workers more knowledge for a better chance of intervention in a life-saving moment.”

Throughout the week, Med-Care Ambulance and Rumford Hospital cross-trained and also invited other EMS workers from surrounding communities to take advantage of the training offered.

“This week of recognition affords us the opportunity to give back to our employees,” noted Laurieann Milligan, Community Outreach for Med-Care. “But, more importantly, it allows us to showcase what they give to our community, as well. Having the simulator here is a step toward better patient care for both our local hospital and EMS workers throughout the River Valley. We all know what we're doing, this just helps us do it better.”

The week was celebrated by various training stations throughout Med-Care and Rumford Hospital quarters and a BBQ lunch was served daily to honor employees and those assisting in training.

For more information on the Human Patient Simulator, visit www.lifeflightmaine.org.