fields , radiation beam characteristics , planning theories , and more . Students are able to view DICOM ( digital imaging communication in medicine ) images to virtually set up a patient on a treatment table , and view the treatment field and vital structures in 3D . Students can observe an intensity-modulated radiation therapy ( IMRT ) treatment as it moves across the patient ’ s skin and through their internal organs , and they can practice techniques , operating and experiencing everything the linear accelerator accomplishes – except administering a real-life therapeutic dose of radiation .
VERT arrived on campus in early fall 2020 . While COVID prevented inperson training on the VERT , GMercyU faculty were able to learn the basics of the equipment through virtual training , and sophomores , juniors , and seniors in the Radiation Therapy program began using it this past spring .
The timing proved exceptionally beneficial when Radiation Therapy sophomores were unable to be assigned to clinical sites last spring due to the pandemic , and therefore were unable to get the hands-on experience that comes from being in a radiation therapy department .
“ VERT was very much a welcome addition to educating our students ,” said Rose Troutman , MS , RT ( T ), Program Coordinator of the Radiation Therapy program . “ Because of VERT , our sophomores were able to utilize the equipment and experienced the basic operation of the workings of the linear accelerator . Last summer , they were permitted back into the clinical sites and were grateful for the hands-on experience that they had gained working with VERT . It gave them an edge with handling the linear accelerator at the clinical site .”
With international travel restrictions loosening , the UK-based VERT trainer visits campus in mid-November to teach GMercyU faculty the advanced features of the equipment .
“ NURSING ANNE ” PATIENT SIMULATOR , FOR NURSING STUDENTS Thanks to a grant from The McLean Contributionship and donor contributions from the President ’ s Excellence fund , the “ Nursing Anne ” Patient Simulator joined GMercyU ’ s SimMan and SimBaby earlier this year in the nursing simulation lab of Maguire Hall .
The Nursing Anne Simulator , made by Laerdal , offers our nursing students the opportunity to engage in handson learning . Students can perform a variety of skills ranging from basic patient handling to more advanced nursing care . Nursing Anne Simulator features interchangeable parts and accessories to create a variety of simulated patients , including , but not limited to ; a senior Caucasian woman with white hair , wrinkles , and brown age spots and a young Hispanic woman with olive-tone skin and dark hair .
Faculty can choose from preprogramed content designed with a focus on specific learning objectives , or they can adapt or create their own patient simulator scenarios to be more consistent with a course ’ s specific objectives and / or student needs .
Among numerous details , Nursing Anne features :
• Realistic patient care procedures , including placement and care of NG tubes , gastric lavage , and gavage , complete urinary catheterization .
• Anatomical landmarks with palpation of anatomy including clavicle , scapula , and anterior superior iliac crest . You can also train on IM injections that require palpation for proper insertion locations .
• Conscious patient characteristics , including palpable pulses , spontaneous breathing and blinking eyes .
Using Nursing Anne , students can learn everything from how to auscultate anterior and posterior lung sounds , as well as heart and bowel sounds , to how to perform an infusion of fluids and medication using bilateral ( pre-ported ) IV arms or via central line catheter .
“ Nursing students have been able to show a deeper ‘ buy-in ’ when working with the Nursing Anne Simulator ,” said Megan E . Mustachio , MSN , RN , WCC , CHSE , GMercyU Nursing Instructor and Simulation Faculty / Coordinator . “ The greatest benefits are gained from the touch of the realistic skin of the manikin , the visible and palpable landmarks , as well as the ability to articulate at major joints .”
“ This manikin , with her variety of skin tones , has also answered some of the calls for diversity in our equipment . It is my hope that all students in the Frances M . Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions have a meaningful interaction with Nursing Anne .”
PRESIDENT ’ S REPORT 9