Center for Research in Human Simulation
The Center for Research in Human Simulation is dedicated to integrating simulation
into our graduate curriculum to advance the art and science of anesthesiology and to improve patient safety. The
Center was established in 1998 and supports research in the areas of human simulation, education, human error and
patient safety. Our Center is located on the 2nd floor of West Hospital on the MCV campus of Virginia Commonwealth
University. The facility occupies over 1500 square feet of space in the Department of Nurse Anesthesia within the
School of Allied Health Professions.
 |
Features of the Center include two full-body Laerdal patient simulators (SimMan and
SimBaby) which can be used in the operating room, critical care or emergency medical settings. The recent addition of
the Medical Education Technologies Inc. (METI) Pedia-Sim ECS patient simulator provides the unique opportunity for
clinical interventions and medication administration relevant to pediatric anesthesia practice. The Pedia-Sim ECS
generates realistic and automatic responses to learner interventions.
State-of-the-art audiovisual equipment enables instructors to record training
activities and provide detailed and subsequent debriefings for simulation participants. The Center houses an adjoining
classroom and on-site conference room with closed circuit television and a projection screen that offers live viewing
from the simulation lab. An intercom system has been added to allow observing participants the ability to communicate
directly into the simulation lab allowing for immediate interaction during live sessions. A study area is located
within the facility for participants to work on computer-based educational programs.
The Center for Research in Human Simulation has also acquired the Immersion Medical
Pre-Op Endoscopy Simulator which delivers realistic, procedure-based training of fiberoptic intubation and
bronchoscopy cognitive and dexterity skills. The Immersion simulator hardware interfaces with a personal computer
that demonstrates a three-dimensional interactive display.
Simulation in the Curriculum
| First Year Students |
| - |
Orientation to the operating room environment |
| - |
Clinical enrichment workshops |
| - |
Utilization of complex anesthesia equipment |
| - |
Patient Assessment: Pre - and Post - operative patient interviews |
| - |
Induction sequence workshop |
| - |
Invasive and non-invasive monitoring labs |
| - |
OR record keeping lab |
| - |
Alternative airway management course |
| Second Year Students |
| - |
Advanced clinical seminars |
| - |
Anesthesia for cardiac bypass |
| - |
Airway management and care of multiple trauma patient |
| - |
Airway management and care of rrauma / burn patient |
| - |
Anesthesia for OB crash during c-section |
| - |
Alternative airway management course |
| - |
Malignant Hyperthermia lab |
| Third Year Students |
| - |
Anesthesia Crisis Resource Management Course - NRSA 606 |
| - |
This is a 15 week semester course that intensely covers the advanced concepts
and principles related to anesthesia management with an emphasis on crisis management. Provides graduate nurse
anesthetists the opportunity to experience 'hands-on' crisis situations, which include overseeing the environment
and working effectively with operating room team members. |
| - |
ACLS mock code practice |
| - |
Basic life support certification |
Other Programs
Graduate Nurse Anesthesia students from around the country visit VCU each year to
experience the Anesthesia Crisis Resource Management course. Students receive reading material and information about
the course before arriving at the Center. During this full one-day course, students assimilate the principles learned
in the readings with hands-on management of high-fidelity anesthesia crises. We have hosted graduate nurse anesthesia
students from Northeastern University, Old Dominion University and East Carolina University to name a few. The Center
also offers opportunities for continuing education units for CRNA’s.
Professional Service
The faculty and staff at the Center work to support the local Richmond city community.
Through programs such as Kids into Health Careers, From JumpRopes to Stethoscopes and the VCU Acceleration Program,
the Center introduces elementary, middle and high school students to the opportunities available to them through a
career in the health care professions. Information provided to these students through a brief lecture is further
reinforced in the simulation lab where these children have an opportunity to take care of a patient presenting for
surgery.
| Research Posters |
| - |
Assessing the authenticity of the human patient simulation
experience. M Hotchkiss, MSNA, CRNA, C Biddle, PhD, CRNA and M Fallacaro, DNS, CRNA. AANA National Meeting, San
Francisco CA. August 2001. |
| - |
Enhancing CRNA clinical instructor teaching effectiveness: The development of
high fidelity trigger films. W Hartland, PhD, CRNA, C Biddle, PhD, CRNA and M Fallacaro, DNS, CRNA. AANA Assembly
of School Faculty, Tampa FL. February 2001. |
| - |
Content analysis of the computerized full-body patient simulation experience.
M Hotchkiss, MSNA, CRNA, C Biddle, PhD, CRNA and M Fallacaro, DNS, CRNA. Society for Technology in Anesthesia
Meeting, Phoenix AZ. Jan 2001. |
| - |
Assessing graduate nurse anesthesia student performance: use of an experiential
model in anesthesia learning and outcome measurement. M Hotchkiss, MSNA, CRNA and M Fallacaro, DNS, CRNA. Society
for Technology in Anesthesia Meeting, Phoenix AZ. January 2001. |
| Grants |
| - |
Agilent Technologies, "Continuum of anesthesia care program: An
anesthesia patient safety project". M Hotchkiss, M Fallacaro and J Lodge. |
| - |
AANA Foundation, "Enhancing CRNA clinical instructor teaching effectiveness:
The development of high fidelity trigger films". W Hartland, C Biddle and M Fallacaro. |
| Faculty |
| Michael D. Fallacaro, DNS, CRNA, Professor & Chair: mdfallac@hsc.vcu.edu |
| Chuck Biddle, Ph.D, CRNA, Professor & Director of Research: cbiddle@vcu.edu |
| Thomas Corey Davis, MSNA, CRNA, Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Education: tcdavis@vcu.edu |
| Beverly George-Gay, MSN, CCRN, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Distance and Continuing Education: bgeorge@vcu.edu |
| William Hartland, Ph.D, CRNA, Associate Professor & Director of Education: hartland@vcu.edu |
| Donna Johnson, MSNA, CRNA, Assistant Professor & Assistant Director of Education: djohnso@vcu.edu |
| Elizabeth Monti-Seibert, CRNA, PhD, Associate Professor & Director of Doctoral Education: ejmonti@vcu.edu |
| Suzanne Wright, MSNA, CRNA, Assistant Professor & Director of the Center for Research in Human Simulation: smwright@vcu.edu |
| Simulation-Related Publications |
| - |
Biddle, C.J., Fallacaro, M.D., & Hartland, W. "Patient Safety Vignettes:
Preliminary Observations on a Novel Use of an Old Methodology." The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and
Practice, http://ijahsp.nova.edu, Vol.3, No. 1, December 2004. |
| - |
Hartland, W., Biddle, C., Fallacaro MD. "Accessing the Living Laboratory:
Trigger Films as an Aid to Developing, Enabling and Assessing Anesthesia Clinical Instructors." AANA
Journal, 2003: 71(4):287-291. |
| - |
Hotchkiss, M., Biddle, C., Fallacaro, MD. "Assessing the Authenticity of the Human
Simulation Experience in Anesthesiology." AANA Journal, 2002: 70(6):470-473. |
| - |
Hotchkiss, M. "AANA Journal Course: Update for nurse anesthetists – Full-body patient
simulation technology: Gaining experience using a malignant hyperthermia model", AANA Journal, 69(1) 59-6 |
| - |
Fallacaro, MD & Crosby, F. "Untoward Pathophysiologic Events: Simulation as an
Experiential Learning Option to Prepare Anesthesia Providers." CRNA: The Clinical Forum for Nurse Anesthetists, Vol 11,
No. 3 (August) 2000: pp. 138-143. |
| - |
Fletcher, JL. "AANA Journal Course: Review for nurse anesthetists – ERR WATCH:
Anesthesia Crisis Resource Management from the nurse anesthetist perspective". AANA Journal. 1998; 66(6):595-602. |
| - |
Fletcher, JL. "Clinical Briefs: Anesthesia Crisis Resource Management Training".
Anesthesia today. 1996; 7(2). |
| - |
Fallacaro, MD. "The utilization of full body patient simulation: A preferred method to
prepare anesthesia providers in the management of select untoward pathophysiologic events." (Abstract) AANA Journal.
1998; 66(5):492-493. |
| - |
Hotchkiss,MA, Fletcher,JL, Howell, DL, Fallacaro MD. "A Community Partnership Program
employing human simulation; Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Nurse Anesthesia and Richmond Public Schools"
AANA Journal 1999, 67 (5): 449. |
Top of Page
|
