Meet the Manikins : St. David's School of Nursing: Texas State University : Texas State University

The simulation labs are home to several different types of advanced medical manikins and task trainers. These extremely lifelike patient simulators come in various sizes, genders, and ethnicities and can be used to perform a wide range of nursing skills ranging from the basics (wound care, IV starts, and foley catheter insertions) to highly complex procedures (emergency airways, defibrillation, and simulated childbirth).

Most patient simulators are able to generate heart, lung, and bowel sounds and utter basic words and phrases. Some higher fidelity manikins are able to sweat, cry, bleed, convulse, and speak recorded phrases and sounds.

These capabilities help reinforce student learning (via practical application) and improve the realism of the interactive medical scenarios learners participate in.

SimMan® 3G

SimMan® 3G is our most highly advanced manikin at the St. David's School of Nursing. He is completely wireless and includes his own internal battery and air compressor. This combination allows the faculty to include him in scenarios at any location (indoors or out) without the need for external power or accessories.

These capabilities afford the staff a tremendous amount of freedom in terms of both programming and usage.

Key Highlights:

Auto Drug and Event Recognition
CPR Feedback regarding Rate, Pressure, and Cycle Timing
Secretions (Tears, Sweat, and Frothing)
Convulsions
Programmable Pupilary Responses
Bleeding Wounds
Custom Sound and Vocal Responses

SimMan® Essential

SimMan® Essential is one of our favorites here at the St. David's School of Nursing. He possesses many of the same functional capabilities as his big brother (SimMan® 3G), minus pupil dilation, seizure capability, and a few other advanced functions.

You'll find at least one SimMan Essential in all of the learning labs on the south side of the building. This ensures that each group of students is able to have the same high fidelity simulation experience no matter what learning space they are assigned to.

Key Highlights:

Full Scale Patient Simulator with Realistic Anatomy
Mechanical Breathing Action
Multiple Pulse Points
Simulated Patient Monitor with Touch Screen Functionality
Programmable Scenarios with can include X-Rays, Media, and Lab Results
Multiple Accessories to Simulate Wounds, Burns, and Traumatic Injuries

Nursing Anne™, Kelly, and Kid

Nursing Anne™, Kelly and Kid are the workhorses of the St. David's School of Nursing. These rugged manikins are made to withstand years of continuous use and specifically designed to assist students in learning how to properly care for a wide range of common healthcare scenarios.

Although highly-useful by themselves, we have coupled these trainers with their optional electronic controller units (SimPad®) to increase their fidelity.

Key Features:

Multiple Accessory Modules (Trauma, Bleeding, NBC)
Anatomically Correct Torso allows for NG, OG, Tracheal Care and Suction Procedures
Heart, Breath, and Bowel Sounds
Blood Pressure Arm with Variable Settings
IV Arm
Catheterization and Enema Procedure Capable
Software for Scenario Creation and Editing

SimBaby™ and SimNewB®

SimBaby™ is an advanced infant patient simulator that calls our Maternal/Child training room home. He allows our students the opportunity to practice their pediatric care skills in a safe, controlled environment.

Key Features:

Advanced Anatomical and Clinical Functionality
Adjustable Breathing Patterns
Airway Management Training Capable
Adjustable Fontanel to Present Abnormal Conditions
Cyanosis Functionality
Live Defibrillation Capable

SimNewB® is a highly-realistic neonate patient simulator. She was designed with the help of the American Academy of Pediatrics to accurately represent a full-term 7-pound newborn female. SimNewB® resides with her sibling SimBaby™ in our Maternal/Child training lab.

Key Features:

Muscle Tone and Cyanosis Control
Umbilicus which supports Cutting and Catherization
I/O Access in Both Legs
Realistic Movement and Sounds

Victoria® and Noelle®

The lab also contains two specialized manikins for obstetrics care that can simulate pregnancy and live birth. The Noelle and Victoria series from Gaumard Scientific helps students in their OB rotations practice caring for expecting moms and newborns. Scenarios used with these manikins include cervical checks, natural delivery, and C-section births.

Key Features:

Fully programmable airway, breathing, and circulation parameters
Shoulder dystocia, breech, and C-section deliveries
Monitoring capabilities for EKG, capnography, and TOCO
Auto-recognition of over 50 different virtual medications
Wireless and tetherless with up to 10+hrs of battery life

Pediatric Hal®

A new addition to the labs, Pedi Hal is the world's most advanced pediatric simulator. A hit with students and faculty alike, Hal's unique feature set make him one of the most lifelike manikins in our entire inventory. Used in the fall semester, Pediatric Hal is invaluable in teaching students how to care for younger populations.

Key Features:

Interactive eyes and active facial expressions
Dynamic lungs with true ventilator support
Surgical airway, needle decompression, and chest tube capable
Wireless and tetherless
Real glucose testing via finger stick

Super Tory®

Along with her big brother Pediatric Hal, Super Tory adds an entirely new level of fidelity to neonatal care. Billed as the world's most advanced newborn simulator, Super Tory is used in our maternal care courses to help students with basic assessments, simulate complex pathologies, and respond to interventions with unparalleled realism.

Key Features:

Smooth, supple full-body skin
Programmable movement of mouth, eyes, torso, and extremities
Seizure capability
Responsive to mechanical ventilation
Capillary refill testing
Retractions or "see-saw" breathing

*Some images and information provided courtesy of Laerdal Medical Incorporated and Gaumard Scientific