An Intensive Care Unit Simulation Lab at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals was completed in July 2007. This lab has sophisticated computerized high fidelity manikins, as well as several other instruments including an Endoscopy simulator, to provide training in different clinical domains such as cardiac arrest situation, rapid response scenarios, airway management, emergency and elective invasive procedures, teamwork, interactions and communications among team members, bronchoscopy, and rare events.

A new 3G high fidelity manikin was recently purchased for the lab. The Lab has state of the art audiovisual (A/V) equipment with several cameras located in different positions to capture accurate and detailed images of all events recorded in the Simulation Lab. This A/V equipment is simultaneously linked to computerized manikins to provide instant feedback. The lab is set up as an ICU room / resuscitation area with actual medical gas, oxygen and suctioning set up, and bedside monitor.

The Simulation Lab at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals is being used to train residents in Internal Medicine, Emergency medicine, General Surgery, Pulmonary and Critical Care, Anesthesia, and Critical Care Nurses and Respiratory Therapists.

Current simulated exercises include:

• Training for emergencies such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and shock resuscitation
• Training for teamwork among physicians in training and interdisciplinary teamwork including physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists
• Established environment for discussing error by providing feedback during the post event debriefing session
• Training in central venous catheter placement and chest diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including standard aseptic technique protocol to prevent hospital acquired infection
• Providing an environment for research in quality improvement and patient safety.