Simulation Center

Since 2008 the Department of Surgery at SIU has had access to a clinical simulation center that provides our medical students and residents the opportunity to manage critical patient care situations while maintaining a safe, hands-on learning environment without risking harm to patients.

The center was established in collaboration with Memorial Hospital and provides both small and large simulation rooms that can be used for individual as well as team training.

Good team and communication skills play a crucial role in the process to minimize the occurance of sentinel events and medical errors. The simulation center is equipped with multiple patient simulators, a variety of medical equipment and monitors that create a realistic environment and engage the learners. The simulations can be observed and guided from two control rooms, that also contain the equipment for video and audio capture. This capability is very important from an educational standpoint, as it facilitates immediate, constructive feedback which faculty can provide by reviewing the simulation footage with the learners in the adjacent lecture room.

We are planning to expand the usage of this facility in the near future to involve all levels of residents and include multidisciplinary training sessions in areas like acute trauma management and patient management in the intensive care units.

Andreas H Meier
Associate Professor of Surgery & Medical Director, Surgical Skills Lab