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Miami, FL — Resident physicians will now have access to the most comprehensive ultrasound simulator in the Southeast region, thanks to a project funded by the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR), the union that represents interns, residents and fellows at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The CAE VIMEDIX ultrasound simulator provides vivid, life-like and high-resolution color imaging to assist in diagnosing a variety of medical issues.
Using computer-generated echo simulation, VIMEDIX teaches residents how to perform cardiac echo imaging procedures and interpret the scanned ultrasound images – without risk to patients. Residents will now be better equipped to offer patients high quality, cutting edge care.
“When physicians and administration work together, there’s no limit to what we can do to improve patient care,” said Mihai Puia-Dumitrescu, M.D., PGY 3, CIR regional vice president. “This is not just an investment for residents who practice at Jackson today, hundreds of residents will continue to gain these necessary skills for years to come.”
Michael Butler, M.D., M.H.A., C.P.E., FACPE, chief medical administrative officer at Jackson Health System, also recognizes the potential this new technology can have on learning.
“Basic medical training does not adequately prepare residents to use ultrasonography and bedside ultrasounds, which is a non-invasive way to assess a patient and provide timely interventions in order to improve patient outcomes,” Dr. Butler said. “Jackson is advancing its program with the ultrasonography training, which will be provided to all residents in anesthesiology, obstetrics and gynecology, family medicine, and internal medicine, as well as fellows in cardiology, critical care, and trauma surgery.”
Butler added that safety and efficiency would be improved by putting residents and fellows to work on the new advanced ultrasound simulator. It supports training in several complex areas including: central venous catheter placement, endotracheal intubation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and crisis management.
The new, advanced ultrasound is just one of several projects to come from the collaboration between CIR and Jackson. Dedicated to improving patient safety, the purchase of the $126,000 simulator was made possible by the CIR/Jackson Housestaff Involvement Fund, a product of collective bargaining. The fund is used to enhance resident-driven quality improvement and patient care projects. As the healthcare system changes, quality improvement has become an important requirement in residency training and Jackson continues to lead the charge by improving systems, innovating practices and embracing new technology.
“The CAE Vimedix ultrasound simulation trainer offers learners an unparalleled platform for exposure and education,” said Joshua D. Lenchus, D.O., president of the Jackson medical staff. “In addition to the normal images are several pathology packages that offer the ability to learn and test image acquisition and interpretation. Without this advanced technology it may take the student hundreds of patient encounters if done at the bedside.”
The ultrasound simulator will be housed in the UM-JMH Center for Patient Safety, located at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where training sessions will be scheduled to ultimately improve resident education and, by extension, patient care.
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