Owensboro Health has purchased a new Apollo Adult Patient Simulator, thanks to a major grant provided to Owensboro Health Foundation from the Dart Foundation.
The Apollo Adult Patient Simulator, manufactured by Montreal-based CAE Inc., is a “high-fidelity simulation mannequin.” The mannequin can replicate the vital signs of a patient, including heartbeat and pulse, blood pressure and breathing. The mannequin can also be used to practice a number of clinical skills, such as CPR, defibrillation, chest tube insertion and breathing tube placement. The mannequin was funded by a $45,970 grant from the Dart Foundation.
“We are most grateful to the Dart Foundation for their generous support of this much-needed equipment,” said Pat Serey, executive director of Owensboro Health Foundation.
Debbie Enoch, RN, manager of Clinical Education, said the Apollo simulator will allow Owensboro Health to provide hands-on training in a safe and realistic environment. The simulator can help students, nurses,
doctors and other caregivers learn and develop skills needed to deliver care, safeguard patients’ health and save lives.
Clinical Educator Robbie Boarman, RN said the goal is to give staff a way to learn without risk to a human patient.
“Simulation allows clinical staff to practice and to be proficient at skills before they ever touch a patient. It improves patient safety and the confidence of our caregivers,” Boarman said.
Enoch added that as a nurse with decades of experience, she’s thrilled to watch newer nurses learn in this way.
“Our joy in providing simulation is to see them develop skills that have taken us many years to learn on our own before simulation training was available,” Enoch said. “They have the opportunity to learn a little bit faster because of the simulation we can provide with this mannequin.”
