“Inland sees many of the same medical situations as hospitals in Bangor or Boston, we just see the more complex cases much less frequently,” says Inland President and CEO John Dalton. “That’s why I’m so thrilled about the new medical simulation program which will give staff at Inland and other regional healthcare providers valuable practice and the opportunity to reduce medical errors. The program is another real example our commitment to a safe practice environment and the best patient care.”

The Bickford Medical Simulation Program is made possible thanks to a generous donation from Chuck and Joan Bickford of Winslow. Chuck Bickford is a long-time Inland trustee and Waterville banker and Joan is an active volunteer at Inland.

The Bickford Medical Simulation Program will feature four high-tech computerized mannequins called “patient simulators” that can be programmed to mimic a variety of complex medical scenarios, such as trauma and cardiac arrest. Two of the simulators are a mother and newborn and will allow staff to practice complicated obstetrics deliveries. The unique equipment tests staff and physicians’ clinical and decision-making skills with immediate performance feedback.

The program’s training lab is currently being constructed in the Medical Arts Building and is scheduled to open in late 2009 or early 2010. Proceeds from the recent Fall Pops concert are helping fund this construction, as well as gifts from Inland’s medical staff, clinical staff, leadership, and others in the greater-Waterville community.

Dalton praises the Bickfords for their commitment to medical education. “Their tremendous gift allows Inland to offer a valuable community benefit. Besides Inland staff, healthcare personnel from around the region will be able to take advantage of the medical simulation training—from first responders and other emergency medical services, to nursing and medical students.”

The Bickfords say they are happy to support such a worthwhile cause. “We value Inland Hospital and its dedication to Waterville,” notes Chuck Bickford. “We are pleased to help invest in healthcare personnel and the future of quality medical care in our community.”

Chuck and Joan Bickford's gift allows Inland Hospital to purchase an entire patient simulator family:

• SimMan 3G

   SimMan 3G is the most advanced SimMan. SimMan can respond to CPR, medicines, intubation. It can even sweat, talk, bleed, and groan—just about anything a real patient would do. SimMan leaves very little to the imagination. It’s so advanced that it is fully transportable. This means we could start medical scenarios in a car on the side of the road. EMS responders could transport it to Inland, providing training for our communities’ entire system. To see a video of such a scenario, go to: the manufacturer's website





• SimBaby

  

  SimBaby is able to respond to a number of possible high risk/low frequency situations that may be seen in the emergency department or a physician’s office. Its anatomy can be dramatically changed to represent conditions such as tongue or throat swelling. It can simulate spontaneous breathing patterns with variations in depth and rate, and complications such as retractions and see-saw breathing.  Like SimMan, it allows for live defibrillation—responding to electric shocks to its heart. SimBaby’s fontanel can even be adjusted to show as normal, sunken, or bulging. 

• Noelle and baby Hal

  Noelle is designed to provide a complete birthing experience before, during, and after delivery. Virtual instruments used to monitor and treat the mother and fetus include heart rate, blood pressure, pulse oxygenation, and ECG. Computer controlled birthing system can accomplish deliveries in as short as five minutes to as long as 16 hours. There is even the ability to interpret fetal ultrasound videos and then use the ultrasound wand to monitor the fetal condition.

 

It is rare for one organization to be able to purchase an entire family of simulators. These will be a tremendous improvement to teaching and maintaining our clinical staff’s skills. But these will be even more effective with a permanent home.

That’s why we’re building the simulators a permanent home in the Medical Arts Building.

To read more about what we're building, click here.

To just make a gift now, securely online, go to our donation page.