For years, pilots have been trained and tested in realistic, full-scale aircraft simulators. Now, analogous technology is being used for medical education. The Department of Anesthesiology owns and operates a simulation laboratory for educational and research purposes, The simulator laboratory consists of a mock operating room with an adjacent control room and debriefing area. Inc. This computer-controlled, model driven mannequin is connected to conventional OR equipment, such as a Narkomed anesthesia machine and a Datex physiologic monitoring system.
Actors play the roles of surgeons, nurses, technicians or other personnel.
Training sessions are recorded by multiple built-in video cameras for subsequent debriefing sessions. The simulator laboratory is used for all levels of anesthesia training, from an introduction to basic anesthesia concepts and skills to advanced crisis management. It is used to teach paramedics, medical students, anesthesia residents, and experienced anesthesiologists. The simulator recognizes injected drugs and inhaled anesthetics, responding with appropriate cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous system changes. The realistic and dynamic airway is used to teach routine intubation as well as airway management.