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Boost for trauma training

9 November 2005

Paramedic training at Monash has been boosted with the launch last week of the RACV Trauma Simulation Complex at the Centre for Ambulance and Paramedic Studies.

From left: BEH Student Olivia Mackie-coop, Karen Zaleski (Seconded Officer) and Brad Cummins (SES) practise their skills at the new simulation centre.

The complex, at the Peninsula campus, contains a dedicated trauma simulation site with vehicles and high-tech mannequins that can mimic the physical signs of distress people may exhibit during a road accident.

The head of academic services at the centre, Mr Mark Chilton, said the complex would provide in-depth training to students on site, using the sophisticated mannequins in simulated road trauma scenarios. Monash trains about 200 student paramedics in emergency healthcare each year.

"It is vitally important that paramedic students receive training in situations that are as close to real life as possible," Mr Chilton said. "This complex will allow students to experience how a road trauma might progress, providing skills in dealing with multiple medical issues."

The complex will focus on simulated motor vehicle accidents but can include features that might be associated with other accidents such as those involving pedestrians, bicycles, tractors or ladders.

"The mannequins are as close to real life as you can get," Mr Chilton said. "They are designed to facilitate the real-life health complications of road trauma. Students can practise a range of techniques including patient handling, immobilisation, ventilation and administering an IV without causing harm."

The mannequins' features include carotid, radial and brachial pulses, replaceable skin and veins, the ability to set systolic and diastolic blood pressures and to respond to electrical and oxygen therapy.

"The key to the complex is that the simulations allow for error and hence provide a valuable teaching and learning tool," Mr Chilton said.

The $50,000 complex has been part-funded by a $20,000 RACV Sir Edmund Herring Memorial Scholarship. The centre has provided the rest.