A patient is rushed into the emergency room suffering from respiratory system failure.
The emergency requires immediate action with precise knowledge of how to treat the ailment.
But whether or not the health care workers succeed in reviving the patient, the situation isn't literally life and death -- at least not this time.
University of Memphis nursing students routinely work on the latest motorized mannequins capable of simulating real-life emergency health problems. These SimMan Universal Patient Simulators produce a pulse, coughs, respiratory problems and can even speak.
"The whole purpose of these mannequins is for students to respond to emergency situations in a controlled environment," said Teresa Britt, a U of M clinical professor. "(The mannequins) give students the opportunity to work with high-tech equipment before working on a real person."
The U of M's newest Sim provides a broad spectrum of challenges to nursing students during testing situations. Priced at approximately $30,000, it is operated by a computer instead of the simpler battery-operated remote used on older-model Sims.
In a demonstration, Britt made the sophisticated Sim mimic labored breathing with the use of an air compressor and say, "I feel real bad" with a low, male voice via a laptop control. The "patient" is preprogrammed to say various phrases similar to what might be heard by real suffering patients in emergency rooms, with complaints ranging from "I'm hungry" to "I'm short of breath."
The Sim's controller can speak into a microphone with the words sounding just like the male voice already installed in the mannequin.Other smaller Sims include models designed for specific purposes, such as resuscitation or childbirth. Some of the Sims consist of only a torso and head.
Stephanie Clayton, a senior U of M nursing major who has worked with the mannequins, said the experience of working with an artificial patient can still be startling.
"The Sims can be a little bit alarming, especially when the mannequin's chest starts heaving," she said.
Lindsey Himelright, also a nursing major, has worked extensively on the mannequins.
"Inserting tubes for chest drainages, healing open wounds, trachea work. (I've done) lots of things," said Himelright.
The first mannequin-style practice patient was created after a French girl drowned in the Seine River in Paris. "Rususci Anne" was created by Asmund S. Laerdal, who believed that if a mannequin was life-sized and life-like, students would take interest in saving other lives so tragedies like the girl's drowning could be treated and deaths could be prevented.
