No dummy business involved

By Sara O'Dacre

odac004@algonquincollege.com

The School of Health and Community Studies’ simulation lab is proving to be very successful in preparing students for work in the health industry after graduation.

The lab, created in 2006, includes a complete operating room and critical care trauma unit with lifelike mannequins where students can master their life-saving techniques.

“It was created to provide an opportunity for students to practice in a realistic patient environment. We call these mannequins high-fidelity patient simulators; they can breathe and cough,” said Barbara Foulds, chair of nursing studies.

Foulds said the lab presents situations where students in different health and community programs can work together, such as nurses and police officers.

“We can recreate an environment where professionals can work together. A huge part of what goes on in hospitals is communication,” said Foulds.

The students’ performances in the lab are recorded on DVD and then studied later on in class. Foulds explained that this way students can learn about their strong and weak points “after debriefing” their personal video with their teachers.

Jo-Ann Aubut, chair of allied health in the School of Health and Community Studies, said they have received very positive feedback from past students who have benefited from working in the lab. She said while at Algonquin, some of the respiratory therapy students mentioned they wanted to stay and work in the lab as long as possible.

“Our clinical partners are seeing that students are more prepared when they enter the workforce after using the lab,” said Aubut.

Aubut said the lab is mostly used by students in respiratory therapy, practical nursing, and massage therapy. She said students in massage therapy learn how to take care of the mother while she goes through the birthing process.

“It’s wonderful. Ideally, we’d like to see all health programs working together,” said Aubut.

Ian Summers, a professor in the School of Health and Community Studies, explained what activities respiratory therapy students perform in the lab, beginning with “simple procedures such as treating asthma and heart failures.”

Summers mentioned the students work up to treating “a wider range of clinical scenarios, such as cardiovascular diseases.”

Mallory Stewart, a second-year practical nursing student, said she began to use the simulation lab a few weeks ago.

“Everything in the lab is hands-on, you’re never sitting down,” said Stewart.

Stewart said she believes practicing in the simulation lab is the best way to learn.