Specialized training pays off for young patients Published Dec. 3, 2007 By Steve Pivnick 81st Medical Group Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- -- Keesler Medical Center's inpatient medical unit began accepting pediatric patients under 2 years old several weeks ago. However, before the unit could care for the young patients, the 81st Medical Group spent the preceding two months sending the nurses and medical technicians to Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, for specialized training. Wilford Hall has a specialized pediatric unit. To further prepare the staff, Maj. Muriel Gatlin, neonatal intensive care unit element chief, wrote and presented six lectures. She covered jaundice, sepsis, hypothermia, pediatric growth and development, treatment of dehydration and pneumonia. "The lectures were mandatory for staff from the medical and surgical inpatient units and were open to all hospital personnel as well," Major Gatlin explained. "The lectures provided a instructive foundation for the staff to build on when they went to Wilford Hall for hands-on training. The staff also received hands-on training with pediatric blood draws and starting IVs. They learned 'tricks of the trade' on how to draw blood from infants and children, making the tasks easier for all involved." According to Col. Chet Roshetko, 81st Inpatient Operations Squadron commander, the 81st MDG used the opportunity to partner with the San Antonio facility to provide the support in the most efficient manner. Second Lt. Sara Wallace, an 81st IPTS nurse recently returned from the two-week session. She described one unique aspect of the course. The training involved using lifelike "robotic dolls" to simulate situations which patients might experience. "They conduct mass training sessions every Thursday for nurses, residents, medical technicians - anyone involved with patient care - in the simulation lab," Lieutenant Wallace explained. "This is a new program Wilford Hall developed to improve emergency response at their hospital and the nurses train mainly for emergency situations." The "robots," which are connected to monitors, mimick the reactions of an actual patient, the lieutenant said. "They can even turn blue," she said. "Students are able to administer medication and the robot responds just as a person would if given the same medication. It gave the participants training required to treat patients in a variety of situations." Although the lab sessions lasted a relatively brief two hours, the lieutenant said they provided excellent training. "They focused mainly on emergency situations that helped us respond in the most efficient way to care for the patient." Lieutenant Wallace said the simulation lab uses robots that correspond to different ages and types of patients: babies, pregnant women and adults.