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Uniontown Hospitals’s new education center, simulation labs prepare future medical professionals

By Olivia Goudy ogoudy@heraldstandard.Com 4 min read
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Jennifer Delorenzo, critical care education specialist at Uniontown Hospital, does a mock check up on the pediatric patient, dubbed Hannibal, in the simulation room of the hospital's new Education Center.

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Brenna Exton, education specialist and simulation coordinator at Uniontown Hospital, controls the vital signs and communications of the simulation models as part of the hospital's new Education Center.

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Another simulation room in the Uniontown Hospital's new Education Center includes a maternity ward with a newborn baby and a pregnant woman, on whom they can practice birthing techniques. Mary Jul Phillips, a nurse educator at Family Beginnings Birthing Center at Uniontown Hospital, is pictured above with one of the simulation models.

Everyone learns differently. Some are more book-oriented, while others need hands-on experience. The Uniontown Hospital hopes to bridge the gap and give future nurses the best training possible thanks to a new education center.

Renovations in the Uniontown Medical Pavilion building on Woodlawn Avenue were completed earlier this summer to allow for nursing students, physicians, therapy staff and other assorted medical personnel to use the new state-of-the-art systems.

“Part of the journey is the classroom component. Then, we hope you paid attention because we immediately walk you in there to do it,” said Tammy Henderson, Uniontown Hospital’s education director. “They come to class ready to learn, not just to sit in a classroom.”

The $1.1 million project included the construction of two high fidelity simulation labs. One room features a pediatric patient and a bedridden man, while the other has a woman in labor and a newborn baby. All of the simulation models can be controlled electronically by someone in the “brain room,” who can adjust their vital signs, add vocals or simulate a medical emergency.

“Based on what they’re not doing correctly, I can alter their vital signs,” Henderson said. “If I see something, I can make that modification as it goes along. He can survive, or he can die.”

Everything done in the simulation labs is livestreamed to a large classroom for other students and nurses to observe. The simulations will also be recorded and used as a video-based module for this who can’t be there.

Henderson spoke highly of the education staff, noting that three of them have their master’s degree and excel as clinical professionals.

“We have expertise in knowing how others retain the information we teach,” she said.

Jennifer Delorenzo, critical care education specialist, said the education center is “the dream.”

“Prior to having this center, we made do a lot. We adapted and overcame a lot,” she said. “Being able to have the equipment to go along with the education gives it that much more meaning.”

Henderson said there’s no better playground than the new center.

“That’s the point of it all. Here in this department, you can tell us what you need,” Henderson said. “It’s that simple. We’ll create that environment and can talk about weaknesses and highlight strengths.”

She added that their takeaway message is that their “staff can function on the unit, like a seasoned person who’s been there for years earlier than most. They can become a viable team member to those who’ve been there.”

The retention rate of newly hired nurses is 83 percent in the first year, which has improved, she said.

The center is partnering with two local universities — Penn State and Waynesburg — to provide on-site RN programs beginning today. Brenna Exton, an education specialist and simulation coordinator with the hospital, said about 200 clinical rotations will come through all of their units.

“They’re not only staying, but the patient outcome is much better. They can run code by themselves at six months,” Henderson said, referring to medical emergencies that are known by codes. In less than a year, their nursing staff can know their role in a cardia code, she said.

The education staff aren’t the only ones in front of a classroom. Physicians and practitioners are also stepping into those shoes.

“We’re collaborating with higher level practitioners. We’re a multidisciplinary team with this approach,” Henderson said. “Everyone plays a pivotal role in this. We have a relationship of integrity. We have the building here, and the pieces, but it’s the individuals that stand out.”

From the hospital’s perspective, it was a worthy investment, according to Josh Krysak, a spokesman for Uniontown Hospital.

“This is taking the education department to a whole new level, advancing us leaps and bounds that we didn’t see on our horizon right away,” Krysak said.

In a press release from the hospital, CEO Steve Handy said the new center will “give our team the opportunity to learn, grow and advance, and ultimately result in better patient care, which is at the core of our mission — to make a healthy difference in the lives we touch.”

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