Chattanooga Clinical Skills and Simulation Center

The Dr. R. Phillip Burns Medical/Surgical Simulation Center at UT College of Medicine-Chattanooga is a state-of-the-art clinical skills simulation center that houses both a surgical skills lab and a human patient simulation lab. Both sections provide an innovative and progressive facility with stimulating educational experiences in a multidisciplinary learning environment where healthcare professionals can train and learn to provide better patient care. 

"It is good to have this vital educational element available to our students, residents, and practicing staff at our institution,"according to Dr. R. Phillip Burns, Professor Emeritus and original Medical Director for the Medical/Surgical Skills Laboratory. "Skills training has become more frequently required by credentialing agencies such as the Residency Review Committee as an important part of medical education."

The Skills Lab has a fully equipped operating room, a micro-surgery room, an anatomical dissection suite, a classroom, and trainers in endoscopy, laparoscopy, and ultrasound. Residents in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Orthopedics, Pediatrics/Neonatology, Plastic Surgery, and Urology learn new skills and practice new techniques using the principles of deliberate practice. 

The adjoining high-fidelity Simulation Lab uses a team environment to teach medical students, residents, faculty, nurses, paramedics, physician assistants, and other allied healthcare personnel skills essential to working in the interdisciplinary environment of a hospital. The lab can be configured to resemble a trauma bay, an operating room, intensive care unit, emergency department, or a neonatal ICU with high-fidelity manikins for the premature infant, toddler, and adult. The lifelike, computer-controlled manikins enable participants to practice integrated medical care in reduced stress situations. Multiple studies have demonstrated that simulation can be used to reliably teach and measure resident competencies in multiple area of practice.                              

     

 

UTCOMC Medical Simulation Facilities

The high-fidelity manikin simulation area currently consists of three rooms that can be configured as an emergency room, trauma bay, operating room, and adult or neonatal ICUs. All rooms have pan/tilt cameras and ceiling-mounted microphones for valuable debriefing and review.

Control Room:  The control room is centrally located to all simulation rooms. Instructors have the option to remotely guide their staff with the use of intercoms or by using a simulation microphone that mimics the patient’s voice. The instructor can watch and listen to their staff on video monitors or through one way glass.

Classroom:  The classroom provides additional space for larger groups. Large groups can be divided and have one part of the group view the training sessions in real time on a large screen monitor until it is time for them to participate. The classroom is also used for the debriefing and review of training sessions. Instructors can facilitate discussion with the participants regarding actions that were performed well and those that could be improved upon.

             

---

Location

The Dr. R. Phillip Burns Medical/Surgical Simulation Center is located on the 1st floor of the Whitehall Medical Building at 960 East 3rd Street, Chattanooga, TN.

 

For more information, contact: