Healthcare Simulation
DMACC Healthcare Simulation Center
DMACC Healthcare Simulation Center
Simulation learning experiences provide DMACC Health and Public Services students and community partners with a controlled, realistic environment to help develop related decision making, communication, and skills.
Simulation manikins provide access to a wide age range of "patients," from infants to elderly and can be programmed to display symptoms of various illness and conditions. Volunteers portray patients, family members, or visitors to assist students to hone communication skills.
Students from the several DMACC programs from all campuses participate in simulation learning experiences and several special events such as disaster simulation during the Fall and Spring semesters. Simulation Center exists with the help of many health and public services partners and is available to host simulation events. Participating programs include, but are not limited to:
- Associate Degree Nursing
- Practical Nursing
- Health Occupations
- Continuing Education
- Paramedic
- Respiratory Therapy
- Surgical Technology
- Fire Science
- Human Services
- Criminal Justice
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Nursing Assistant
Mission
To provide quality simulation-based training to enhance healthcare career development for students and professionals.
Vision
Improve the quality of healthcare in communities through the delivery of simulation-based education and training for healthcare students and professionals.
Healthcare Simulation Locations
Located at the DMACC Capitol Center in Des Moines, the DMACC Simulation Center is a 4,745 square foot facility that consists of 5 simulation rooms each representing different healthcare settings.
The DMACC Simulation Center consists of five (5) simulation laboratories. Each simulation laboratory is equipped to represent different healthcare settings.
Nine (9) simulation manikins manufactured by Laerdal Corporation are located at the DMACC Simulation Center:
- SimMan 3G®
- SimMan Essentials®
- SimMom® (two)
- SimJunior® (two)
- SimBaby®
- SimNewB®
- PrematureAnne®
The DMACC Simulation Center hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturdays 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The DMACC Simulation Center serves DMACC health and public services programs district wide and host special events such as the DMACC Fall Capstone Simulation Event (Hospital Blackout), National Registry Emergency Medical Technician - Paramedic Examination, Difficult Airway Course, and Simulation Conferences and Workshops.
The DMACC Simulation Center also hosts simulation-based healthcare training events for our Health & Public Services community partners. If you are interested in learning more about utilizing the center for an event, please contact: Melody Bethards, MSN, RN, CNE, CHSE, Health and Public Services/Nursing Simulation Coordinator at mlbethards@dmacc.edu or 515-697-7824.
DMACC also has Satellite Simulation Laboratories located on the DMACC Boone Campus and DMACC Carroll Campus. The satellite laboratories are designed and equipped to represent adult/pediatric medical-surgical rooms.
The Boone Satellite Simulation Laboratory has four (4) simulation manikins manufactured by Laerdal Corporation; Nursing Anne®, Nursing Kelly®, Nursing Kid®, and Nursing Baby® and one (1) Life/form® Infant Auscultation Trainer.
Term 1 and Term 2 Boone Campus ADN nursing students participate in simulation learning experiences at the Boone Satellite Simulation Laboratory.
The Carroll Satellite Simulation Laboratory has four (4) simulation manikins manufactured by Laerdal Corporation; SimMan Essentials®, SimJunior®, SimNewB®, and Nursing Baby®.
Term 1, Term 2, Term 4, and ADN 520 campus nursing students participate in simulation learning experiences at the Carroll Satellite Simulation Laboratory.
Capstone Events
Each Fall and Spring semester DMACC students from multiple programs and campuses participate in a large scale (capstone) simulation learning event.
The specific purpose of the capstone event is to provide a unique opportunity for students from specific DMACC health and public services programs to hone discipline specific communication, collaborative, prioritization, and critical thinking skills.
The Fall capstone simulation event takes place in a hospital that is experiencing a blackout during a massive winter storm.
Students work together to provide care for patients in a hospital functioning on only one small generator. The limited power creates challenges to provide patient care in a technology driven healthcare system.
The Spring capstone event is a multiple victim motor vehicle accident and receiving emergency room.
Students work together to treat the victims at the accident scene and transport them
to the emergency room for further assessment and treatment.
DMACC Healthcare Simulation Accreditation
DMACC Healthcare Simulation has been granted full accreditation in the area of Teaching/Education through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH).
