This dedication is a testament to Ameris Bank ’ s unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare education across the region .”
~ Colquitt Regional Medical Center Foundation Chairman Judd Lasseter
were given with the center ’ s simulation mannequins to show how the medical students would train in very near to real-life situations .
“ When we first started nursing , we didn ’ t have a low-risk , no-risk scenario . We had to learn hands-on in real-life situations . It was terrifying ,” said Jessy Plymel , a home-health and hospice RN who was working with the mannequin .
She went on to say that , with the mannequin , which is capable of giving all the scenarios and situations the medical students might face , they are much more prepared when real-life situations occur and they ’ re not so fearful .
“ That alters everything and your confidence is better and you feel like your care is going to be more precise and on point . So this is almost a priceless situation ,” she said .
Plymel and Jackie Rodgers , a diabetes education RN , demonstrated a scenario with the mannequin where the “ patient ” had hypoglycemia . They assessed the “ patient ’ s ” symptoms .
The interactive mannequin , named “ Anne ,” spoke to them about what she was feeling and exhibited symptoms like sweating , slurred speech and gave them vocal cues like “ she didn ’ t eat her lunch .” In this way , students are able to assess , recognize and treat the mannequin , the ladies said .
Plymel said that they could have both nursing students and medical students train together on the mannequins so that they could learn what it ’ s like to work together in real-life situations .
Rodgers said that the simulation mannequin could be programmed for a variety of training scenarios ranging from very critical to less critical .
Riley Viohl , simulation operations specialist for the hospital , said that there were 12 simulation mannequins that could be set-up in four labs and run from two control rooms . During a birthing simulation , he controlled the mannequin from a laptop computer in the control room .
“ It would be a pre-programmed scenario ,” he said of how the training was done and added that he would consult with the facilitator of the training to see what scenario was to be enacted in the programming .
He also said that the mannequin ’ s program could be changed in the middle of the class , based on the facilitator ’ s needs for the students participating .
“ Something could go wrong . Something could get better ,” Viohl said of the mannequin “ patient .” “ They ’ re fairly user friendly .”
In his address to the guests during the dedication , Matney told the audience that this was a hospital in an education building because the rooms mirror what is in a hospital .
He said that he believed that the center would be a catalyst for more people to come to this region . He said that when the medical residents came to see the facilities , “ How could you not want to come to work at Colquitt County Medical Center .”
“ This is a state-of-the-art facility with the latest technology in medical training . It would not have been possible without the generosity of our donors , both personal and those who funnel their tax dollars through the Georgia Heart program , employees , volunteers , and the Hospital Authority of Colquitt County . Not only is this a win for our Colquitt Regional family , but we see this as an opportunity to be a resource for the region ,” he said . n
8 Health & Wellness | 2024