Equipment

The "patient" is a computer controlled, adult , pediatric, infant, or neonatal mannequin that breathes, has a pulse and blood pressure, heart tones, breath sounds and bowel sounds. Participants interact with the patient, by  carrying  on a two-way conversation,history and evaluating physical exam findings.

Participants will interact with patients by asking questions, evaluating physica findings, ordering lab tests,developing  problem lists and differential diagnoses, and ordering treatments.

Given the information obtained, participants will perform, intravenous cannulation, phlebotomy, medication administration, airway procedures, thoracoscotomies, bronchoscopies and Foley catheterization.

Clinical monitoring is achieved by continuous evaluation of the simulator's computer generated pulse, blood pressure, EKG, pulse oximetry, arterial blood pressure waveform, CO2 and capnograph waveform and respiratory rate. The simulator will respond to the participant interaction including medication administration. Tactile and auditory changes are reproduced on the mannequin and monitoring equipment.

Each choice made by the instructor or participant is recorded by a computer and can be replayed on a monitor. The treatment provided to the participant's efforts cause the simulated patient to improve, get worse, live or die. Using the video tape and replay capabilities of the center, the session can be debriefed at eh conclusion. Ignored symptoms, incorrect diagnosis and inappropriate treatments can be identified after the fact.

STRATUS also has a variety of task trainers for open and laparoscopic surgical procedures, obstetrical management, diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound, upper and lower endoscopy, bronchoscopy, thoracentesis, paracentesis, lumbar punctures, among many others.