PATIENT SIMULATORS

There were no complaints from the “patients” at the UAA School of Nursing today. That’s because patients were high tech simulator mannequins eye blinks, pupils that dilate, pulse, heartbeat, temperature, and sound effects including respiration and heart beat, and more - all controlled by teachers via computer. As students examine a “patient,” the computer can induce various medical conditions and emergencies - to which the students can respond. Mistakes are learning opportunities, and don’t kill the ”patient.” All this is similar to flight simulators used by commercial airlines and our military.

It makes me proud of our university and the School of Nursing. Two of my daughters registered nurses, Debra in California, and Mary at Regional Hospital here in Anchorage.

Photos show the nurse instructors operating the simulated patients by computer, a student checking the patient's eyes, and me with UAA Chancellor Fran Ulmer.