NORWAY – The Human Patient Simulator Program made its first stop at Stephens Memorial Hospital during the week of Jan. 22. It is a trauma and critical outreach program formed cooperatively by LifeFlight Foundation, Maine EMS, the Department of Public Safety and the Maine Health Access Foundation.

The RV, filled with equipment to simulate a hospital emergency room, was parked at Stephens Memorial Hospital for five days, with training available on three of those days to paramedics, RNs and medical staff.

Scenarios given to participants are either predeveloped and tested encounters with actual patients, or ad hoc case reviews. The staff work with two state-of-the-art mannequins – one a child, the other an adult, who are capable of speaking, breathing, blinking and having reactive pupils.The mannequins have heartbeats and pulses and are able to mirror response to medical treatment and procedures.

Wednesday was designated as pediatric day and staff teams worked with the child to stabilize him in 20- to 30-minute sessions overseen by a LifeFlight instructor. The sessions were videotaped and reviewed for more feedback.

Dr. Rebecca Chagrasulis, who was a participant, shared her thoughts on the experience. She said, “The HPS simulators, adult and child, offered an excellent opportunity for SMH personnel to not only practice their skills, but to work together as teams on difficult and challenging cases. This experience was very beneficial to all who participated.”

Program manager Rick Simpson said the program was rolled out in June to provide a resource to all hospitals throughout the state. The HPS Program is designated one week at each of the states hospitals every year. The program is approved for RN and EMS continuing medical education.

Stephens Memorial Hospital is an affiliate of Western Maine Health, which is part of the Maine Health family. Visit Western Maine Health on the Internet at www.wmhcc.org.