Human patient simulation allows student nurse anesthetists to train in a dimension of virtual reality.  Interactive training simulation offers small groups of learners the opportunity to develop and enhance clinical decision-making abilities, psychomotor skills, health assessment, monitoring, and communication. This builds self-confidence and promotes patient safety for the practice of nurse anesthesia.
 
Simulation allows for active learning in a non-threatening “operating room” environment where an adult mannequin supported by computers and specialized software create a patient that will breath, blink, perfuse, and respond to virtual pharmacologic agents.  Inhalation agents can be utilized as well to provide a comprehensive anesthesia-based simulation experience. Students learn to interact with life-like human physiology to focus on basic and/or advanced anesthesia concepts “without harming the patient.”
 
The University of Kansas Nurse Anesthesia department started its current simulation program utilizing the METI HPS (Medical Educational Technologies, Inc./Human Patient Simulator) in the Fall of 2006. Overall, the scenario topics range from the typical anesthesia challenge to the rare crisis. Simulation scenarios have included basic induction techniques for general anesthesia, treatment of airway obstruction, dealing with intra-operative blood pressure changes, anaphylaxis, and malignant hyperthermia. 

The simulation program is pleased to be expanding within the three year curriculum as an adjunct to our vast clinical experience. The program continues to look forward to integrating didactic knowledge with innovative teaching technologies to advance student skills, confidence, and promote patient safety.