Clinical Simulation Center of Las Vegas
Welcome to the temporary web site for the CSCLV!
The Clinical Simulation Center of Las Vegas is committed to delivering the highest quality education for healthcare students and professionals by providing access to state-of-the-art instructional technology and curriculum design within a collaborative and interdisciplinary framework."
The CSC-LV is a 31,000 sq ft facility that opened at the UNLV Shadow Lane campus in August 2009 and is shared among the University of Nevada - Las Vegas School of Nursing, Nevada State College School of Nursing, and University of Nevada School of Medicine. This Clinical Simulation Center provides state-of-the-art health care education equipment throughout the five high-fidelity simulation labs, three clinical skills labs, a surgical simulation suite, twelve standardized patient rooms, and four multipurpose classrooms. The entire facility is integrated by an all-encompassing Audio-Video management system.
The CSC-LV is staffed by: a Director, Surgical, Simulation, and IT Technicians, a Clinical Lab Coordinator, and an Administrative Assistant to provide support to faculty of these three institutions within the Nevada System of Higher Education. Nursing students, medical students and medical residents are educated together in this facility promoting greater collaboration among future health care providers.
Each of the five high-fidelity simulation rooms recreate a specific hospital environment such as emergency department or labor and delivery room. In each room a specialized high-tech manikin allows students to take vital signs and make assessments while providing an opportunity to practice professional communication, team management, task performance and decision making. Through a two way mirror to the central control center, faculty and staff continually monitor student performance and can dynamically alter patient physiology, dialogue and behavior in real time. Twenty minute scenarios are live streamed to the rest of the class in one of four debriefing rooms, and are digitally recorded for playback and discussion. The realistic environment and lifelike manikin quickly entice students to engage in simulation and respond to the patient's specific needs and prepare students for real life scenarios they will face in their professional careers.
The twelve Standardized Patient rooms provide healthcare students with the opportunity to interact with live actors and actresses who are professionally trained in presenting specific ailments. Through communication and deferential analysis, medical and nurse practitioner students prepare a diagnosis and recommend an appropriate treatment. After the scenario ends, students are asked detailed questions regarding their process while Standardized Patients rate the students on their ability to communicate and professional behavior. The entire process is managed and overseen by faculty and staff through an extensive network of audio equipment and twenty-four separately controlled cameras.
The CSC also holds two clinical skills workstation labs and a clinical ward room with twelve mechanized beds. In these rooms, students practice specific task training with specialized low-to-mid fidelity manikins, including wound care and patient movement. The ward room can also capture and record student activity via desktop management for test taking purposes.
The surgical skills labs are home to the UNSOM general surgery residency skills and simulation training program. The site features training modules ranging from surgical knot tying to full procedures such as Cholecystectomy. As well as being home to the general surgery residents, surgical simulation has also become integrated into the surgical rotations for the University of Nevada School of Medicine. With the assistance of attending faculty and the surgical skills coordinator a curriculum has been developed to further enrich the surgical rotation for 3rd and 4th year medical students. Finally, this site houses several Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery proctors qualified to facilitate certification exams for visiting physicians and residents.
The Health Sciences System (HSS) of the Nevada System of Higher Education is working to ensure Nevada has a highly trained health care workforce to meet the state's current and future needs. The HSS provides academic leadership and guidance to link and integrate the health professional schools, i.e., nursing, medicine, dental, public health, etc., that are part of Nevada's eight higher education institutions. This includes 150 health sciences programs and nearly 18,000 students attending a state college or university. The HSS team is working on capital projects in northern and southern Nevada to provide critically needed space to expand and strengthen health professional training programs and enhance research capabilities. The Nevada State legislature in 2007 approved nearly $90 million in public funding for building construction, and the HSS has committed to raising close to $38 million in matching non-state funds to give our health professional students and partners access to state-of-the-art labs and training facilities.