News brief: Getting real practice with fake patients

School of Medicine students are about to get hands-on experience helping patients who can't bleed or die but can yell back. A grant from the Measey Foundation has lead to the creation of an 800-square-foot simulation center that includes two interactive mannequins that can take the place of patients during advanced training. Each simulated patient is connected to a computer that allows it to provide life-like recreations of emergency and intensive care scenarios, such as shock and heart attack. Conditions often seen in emergency patients, such as blood-pressure and lung problems, can also be simulated. The "patients" can even complain with the help of instructor-operated microphones. The Measey Simulation Center will be up and running for the first time this semester. - Nicholas Joy