Chemeketa nursing students
learn with new mannequins

Two life-size mannequins have taken up residence in Chemeketa Community College's Health Sciences building. The new SIM (simulation) lab residents have skin that feels natural, chests that raise and lower as they "breathe," and can groan or wheeze, depending on their particular health problem. They can even talk.

"It's all computerized," said Kay Carnegie, associate dean of Health Sciences, "and we can adjust their vital signs and make them respond like a patient would."

As students treat their "patients," instructors can look in from the control room and have the mannequins respond appropriately.

"Since I've been in nursing education," said Kay, "this is the biggest change I've seen in how we can instruct students."

The mannequins can be set to exhibit rare or common occurrences in patients, and the students can get practical experience handling a variety of situations in a safe and supervised setting. Students are also able to debrief often, both in real time and following a procedure. They can even watch themselves on video later and critique what happened. The SIM lab will be used not just by nursing students, but can also be used by students in other programs like Emergency Medical Technology, Dental, Fire Science, and Medical Office Assistant.

"Providing safe patient care is the ultimate outcome," said Kay.

Open house scheduled

Members of the community interested in seeing the SIM lab in action are invited to an Open House on Tuesday, Feb. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. Call 503-399-5058 for more information or for information about Chemeketa's Health Science programs.

Updated February 19, 2007 by the College Advancement Department.