Media Release Sep 01 2008

State-of-the-art training equipment for Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital

Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital recently purchased a lifelike training mannikin that moans, groans, talks and even breathes!

The simulated model of a human being allows staff to practise their clinical skills on a sophisticated computerised mannikin that can be programmed to exhibit any illness or injury.

It can sensor airway position, pulse and give an evaluation of the staff’s resuscitation performance.

According to Jay Halkhoree, Intensive Care Unit Clinical Nurse Consultant, a critical part of the learning process for emergency care is practising treatment in the same way it occurs in a real emergency.

“This is an excellent education mannikin that will enable our staff to record, debrief and update their advanced life support skills,” said Jay.

Simulation training is an invaluable step in saving lives. It is of great value to help people practise working together as a team as it helps to improve the essential communication and coordination skills that bring an effective team together.

Jay said many years ago clinicians never had a learning opportunity like this.
“We had to imagine what it was like to work on a patient like this, but these days we get a chance to feel, touch and hear from ‘the patient’. It is a much more effective way to learn.”

The simulation model, cameras, computer and defibrillators are the first pieces of high-tech equipment in the hospital’s new Simulation Room and were purchased with money donated by the hospital’s Pink Ladies’ Auxiliary.

"Thanks to the generosity of our wonderful Pink Ladies, we now have another tool to keep us on the cutting edge of education,” Jay said.

Media contact: Debbie Eldridge Ph: 9477 9155 : 0404 020 330

Authorisation Stamp