About RCSL (History, Simulators, Our Facility)
History:
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Donald E. Rager, M.D., the former Regional Dean of the University of Illinois, College of Medicine in Peoria (UICOMP) has dedicated his life to medical education, improved patient safety and community progress for a self-reliant future. In keeping with his commitments, the RCSL was created as a self-sufficient, independent state-of-the-art training and research facility. The simulation laboratory at UICOMP houses the most advanced, innovative medical simulation and education technologies available. This facility is open to the larger community so that all learners have the opportunity to benefit from the latest and most effective medical simulation equipment on the market.
Learners all over our entire region have the opportunity to acquire new skills, fine tune existing skills and demonstrate competence in the simulation lab at UICOMP. Beyond training, learners are encouraged as investigators to utilize the RCSL for research efforts in pursuit of new teaching methodologies or innovative ways to improve the next generation of medical simulators.
No matter the interest, the RCSL is proud to accommodate faculty and students throughout the region and across the healthcare spectrum. In these regards, the RCSL has been established to be the preeminent simulation center for research and career development in our region. |
Simulators:
The METI simulators inhale atmospheric air and expire carbon dioxide, like real people. Respiratory arrest causes the “patient” to undergo blood oxygen desaturation. If the “patient” is properly masked or intubated and ventilated, blood oxygen levels will begin to rise automatically in response to this intervention. METI simulators will also independently respond in other ways including oxygen therapy, chest compressions, tension pneumothorax decompression, pupil reaction to light, defibrillation, cardiac pacing, fluid return upon chest tube insertion or pericardiocentesis, and drug administration to render a physiologically correct dose-response.
The unique ability of the METI simulators to automatically respond to learner intervention is accompanied by many additional features. Users can palpitate pulses, learn CPR, insert airways, perform cricothyrotomy, listen to normal and abnormal heart and lung sounds, assess pupil reaction to injury, insert I.V. catheters and push I.V. fluids, observe medication interactions, perform peritoneal lavage, monitor pulmonary arterial, central venous and intracranial pressures, monitor blood gases and body temperatures and much more.
A learning event at the RCSL typically involves small groups of students rotating through different learning units or entire mock scenarios. A learning event can be very brief with one main teaching objective (examples: recognition of lung sounds or proper intubation with respiratory arrest). Other simulator sessions may be longer and include entire mock training scenarios (examples: asthmatic attack in a child, hypoxemia in a COPD patient or tension pneumothorax with pulseless electrical activity). Additional learner feedback during the simulator exercise can include monitors (with blood pressures, electrocardiogram, pulse oximetry, etc.) along with x-rays and other methods that enhance the experience and aid in suspending disbelief. Pre-arranged learning units and teaching scenarios are available at the RCSL. Educators can also have expert assistance in designing and scripting their own simulation lab curriculum. |
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A debriefing session after exposure to the simulator is a critical component of this didactic approach. The RCSL is equipped with video and audio recording equipment that allows learners and instructors to review performances with the simulator. Recordings include video overlay of patient monitors with vital signs and electrocardiogram to allow reference with learner actions in real-time. In addition, complete data log of all events are maintained electronically for each learning unit or scenario to provide an additional record.
Thus, simulation offers the means for students to practice, test and hone care-giving skills in a risk-free environment. In the end, assessment, communication, diagnosis and procedural skills are certain to improve through training with simulation at the RCSL.
More about the RCSL:
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The Rager Clinical Skills simulation laboratory is a dynamic facility actively engaged in training and educational research to achieve the best resource possible for all healthcare professionals. Our lab currently uses full-size high-fidelity adult, pediatric and baby simulators along with task-trainers. A separate conference room with real-time monitoring and video playback equipment is available forobserving and debriefing sessions. Portable baby and adult simulators are available for transport to your training location. Our home facility at the University of Illinois, College of Medicine in Peoria positions the RCSL across the street from Methodist Hospital and within walking distance from OSF St. Francis Hospital, thereby giving us direct access to some of the best educational and medical sources in the area.
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