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Simulator helps ensure patient safety
Noelle is one of the newest "patients" in the Childbirth Center
at St. Joseph Hospital. A computerized, lifelike simulator, Noelle will be
used to support the PeaceHealth vision of providing safe, evidence-based
care to every patient.
Noelle is a life-sized replica of a woman in full-term pregnancy,
complete with full belly and child. She has blonde hair, lifelike skin, a
heartbeat and a voice. Staff can program her to simulate common obstetrical
challenges, such as hemorrhaging, breech birth or emergency c-section.
"She looks like a CPR Annie doll except she has a belly that is
Velcro-ed on," said Cindy Preston, RN, Director of Women's and
Children's Services at St. Joseph Hospital. "There is a machine inside
that you can hook up the baby to."
Noelle gives birth to baby Hal, another computerized simulator. Two baby
Hals are used during a simulation. One is used for the delivery and the
other is used for post-delivery situations. The second baby Hal can be
programmed for various emergency scenarios and has the ability to turn blue
and go into a seizure.
HOW NOELLE WORKS
Noelle is the first simulation tool of its kind to be used for training
at St. Joseph Hospital. She was created by the Florida-based Gaumard
Scientific Company and was purchased by St. Joseph for $35,000.
Medical personnel use Noelle to measure how efficiently and effectively
they work together during deliveries, with the goal of improving
communication and teamwork. Noelle also is used for practicing rare and
emergency procedures.
"The simulations with Noelle are to make sure people have a place to
practice providing care," said Leasa Lowy, MD, Lead Physician for
Obstetrical (OB) Safety throughout the PeaceHealth system, including the
Whatcom Region. "Our goals are effective communication, practice and
patient safety."
Dr. Lowy serves as Medical Director for the OB department at St. Joseph
Hospital as well as the hospital's Center for Healthcare Improvement.
During a simulation, doctors and nurses work on Noelle in a delivery room
in the hospital. A video camera is set up to record the session for later
review. In a separate room, a group of expert simulation teachers observe
the team, watch the video recording and debrief each participant.
The scenario is pre-programmed by Dr. Lowy and Deborah Castile, RN,
Program Manager for OB Safety, and Noelle's actions are controlled by a
computer. Although the simulation is pre-programmed, it can be changed at
any time during the drill.
Once baby Hal is born, another program may be used to run scenarios on
the baby, and the team must then work together on two "patients."
Noelle is due to give birth to baby Hal for the first time at St. Joseph
Hospital in a simulated delivery scheduled for October. She will also travel
to other PeaceHealth hospitals in Longview, Eugene and Ketchikan. She has a
twin sister that is based at the new PeaceHealth Riverbend campus in Oregon.
They will soon be traveling to any region that is in need of training.
SUPPORTING THE VISION
The simulators come to St. Joseph Hospital as part of the PeaceHealth
Safety Collaborative, which Dr. Lowy described as "multi-layered and
involving all OB physicians and providers across the entire hospital
system."
"Each region has its representation," Dr. Lowy said, "and
on top of that, a new, multidisciplinary team including patients, community
members, nurses and doctors are now working together as the Women's and
Children's Advisory Committee, which is supporting the two initiatives. This
new OB advisory team will help every patient and family have safe,
evidence-based, compassionate care, every time, every touch."
The PeaceHealth Safety Collaborative is piloting how to use simulators
such as Noelle in other specialties. If the use of Noelle is successful in
improving team communication and patient care, simulators may be used in
other departments at St. Joseph.
St. Joseph Hospital has also received a grant from the nationally
recognized Premier Healthcare Alliance and is one of only 17 U.S. hospitals
to participate in the Premier Perinatal Safety Initiative, a 21-month
collaborative project that aims to ensure that women and children receive
the best care.
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