Going Wireless – new human patient simulators used for disaster medicine

TEEX recently purchased two PEDIASim pediatric models and two adult METIMan models used for training in disaster patient management. METIMan, manufactured by METI, is an upgraded wireless adult simulator with onboard fluid, pneumatic and electrical systems that allows trainers to run the patient simulation software from a laptop up to 50 feet away.

TEEX’s Emergency Services Training Institute (ESTI) uses the simulators for classes in EMS Operations & Planning for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Trainers use one adult and one pediatric human patient simulator for hands-on training in each course delivery, said Logistics Coordinator Thorin Moser. Once the software has been edited to match the TEEX curriculum and the physiology and patient profiles have been updated, he said the two new wireless sets will join four older sets that travel with trainers to every state and territory in the country.

Since 1999, more than 16,568 medical and emergency personnel nationwide have been trained by TEEX in the management of injuries and illnesses that could result from terrorist events and other disasters, Moser said. The state-of-the-art human patient simulators display realistic symptoms and allow students to learn how to treat simulated patients of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive disaster, he added.

The course is offered at no charge for qualified personnel through funding under the Department of Homeland Security National Training Program. Participants are eligible for continuing education credits from the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for EMS, the Emergency Nurses Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians.