Annual Report - Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

National Capital Area Medical Simulation CenterThe National Capital Area Medical SimulationCenter houses some of the most advancedmedical simulation technologies in the world. Atthe Simulation Center, students undertake criticalclinical and surgical skills training, including takingpart in exercises involving live simulated patients,high-fidelity patient mannequins and virtual realitycomputer-enhanced task trainers. The center conductsroughly 8,000 simulations each academicyear, and its resources are available to all universitymedical and nursing students, interns, residents andothers in the USU community.Immersive Virtual EnviaronmentThe center is home to a cutting-edge Wide AreaVirtual Environment (WAVE). Most computer-basedmedical simulators focus on individual training,but in reality, most medical care is administered inteams. The WAVE creates a realistic environmentin which groups of students can train together tocare for the injured during combat situations. Theinitial prototype system creates a 3-D environment,complete with an advanced sound system, thatimmerses participants in a battlefield setting. TheWAVE also can be used to simulate disaster,biological attack and other mass casualtyscenarios. It is one of the only facilities of itskind in the world.Surgical SimulationThe center’s Surgical Simulation Laboratoryincludes a full-scale operating room, as well as avirtual reality room, which provide realistic scenariosfor trauma and surgical training. The operatingroom is equipped with computerized, high-fidelityhuman patient mannequins, and the virtual realityroom houses computer-enhanced task trainers thatenable students to practice surgical procedures,endoscopic skills and laparoscopic techniques.Clinical SkillsThe Simulation Center’s Clinical Skills TeachingLaboratory includes 12 patient examination roomswhere standardized patients, played by actors,help students hone their communication, interpersonal,professional, physical exam and diagnosticreasoning skills. Faculty monitor the encounters andprovide students with critical feedback.The Simulation Centeruses state-of-the-arttechnologies to conductspecialized clinical andsurgical skills training. Bygraduation, USU studentswill have taken part inroughly 40 differentsimulations.31