TMC Mega Raffle supporting advanced training in Labor and Delivery

Tucson Medical Center is providing the most advanced training available for Labor and Delivery staff. Thanks to the support of the TMC Mega Raffle, a lifelike training simulator is giving techs, nurses and physicians realistic preparation to best address birthing complications and challenges.

During childbirth, serious health risks can arise suddenly and clinical staff must act quickly to protect mom and baby.

“The better the training – the better the patient outcomes,” said Stacie Wood, clinical nurse educator at TMC for Women. “Our simulator is a bridge between classroom learning and real-life clinical experience.”

Just what is an advanced obstetric simulator and how real is it? “The simulator is a wireless, robotic mannequin that can talk, breathe, blink, and respond,” said Wood.

The authentic simulator, which TMC named Lacie, is intended to be as human as possible – even her skin texture is strikingly realistic.

Yet, there is more to this mannequin than a realistic appearance. Lacie can give birth, react to medications, simulate bleeding and record metrics, such as the force of CPR compressions.

“We are able to train for all obstetrical scenarios and emergency care,” Wood explained. “Lacie offers unrivaled realism and versatility for clinicians to practice high-risk scenarios.”

TMC has taken full advantage of the unique training opportunities that Lacie offers. Lacie is housed in her own simulation suite, built to resemble TMC’s patient rooms. There is an adjacent control room with a one-way mirror, through which specially trained nurses operate Lacie using a laptop computer.

The control room also serves as a debrief room. Debriefing is the most important part of the training exercises. Participants are asked to reflect on their actions and discuss key learning points, which can then be applied to real-life situations.

Why is training with Lacie better than a standard training? “Lacie is interactive and that makes the clinical participants more than observers,” said Wood. “The clinical staff engage the emotional and sensory components of learning that are beneficial for critical thinking, decision-making and delegation.”

TMC is the only hospital in Southern Arizona with the advanced simulator and one of very few hospitals to have the in-depth training available on campus. “We couldn’t have made this happen without the support of the TMC Mega Raffle,” Wood said. “Going forward, we will provide quarterly simulations using Lacie, because enhancing staff education and proficiency means enhancing patient care and safety.”