SIMULATION SERVICES
Northwestern’s STIL laboratory houses approximately 40 simulation devices with literally
hundreds of procedural practice opportunities. The following, select simulation
device examples represent what we at Northwestern consider exemplary and highly
innovative due to their impact on lives saved, outcomes improved, and return on
investment.
Central Line Trainers The Central Line Trainer simulator has
revolutionized the training of Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine,
Surgical, Family Medicine, and other specialty trainees. Northwestern has proven
that this type of simulation saves lives and reduces healthcare costs by reducing
complications and infections. Trainees use real equipment and real ultrasound devices
to identify the safest location for the placement of these very large intravenous
catheters.
High Fidelity Human Patient Simulators
These lifelike, full-body simulators replicate the signs of life including breathing,
blinking, voice, and some movement. High fidelity human patient simulators are used
across clinical specialties. The laboratory maintains a full complement of this
type of device, from newborn infant simulators through devices capable of geriatric
presentations. Northwestern investigators proved that survival from cardiac arrest
was improved with strict training on these devices.
Surgical Skills Training
Northwestern surgeons use the Northwestern Center for Advanced Surgical Education
(NCASE) portion of the STIL laboratory to enhance surgical skills, to train for
new procedures, and to reduce operating room time and complications. Several modes
of simulation are in use, including novel patented devices created by Northwestern
innovators, virtual reality devices, and other devices. NCASE has two complete operating
rooms, one of which can support six operating tables simultaneously.
Obstetrical Training
Obstetrician-gynecologists at Northwestern have created a proven training protocol
to reduce the devastating complication of nerve injury at birth using birthing simulators.
The Noelle birthing simulator and other devices are mainstays of ongoing training
and assessment.
Novel Devices
STIL has created five novel devices in its innovations space. McCormick School of
Engineering biomedical and computer science students and graduates have created
procedural trainers for Internists, Emergency Medicine physicians, Hepatologists,
Neonatologists, and Nephrologists. These include paracentesis, chest tube, airway,
and kidney biopsy trainers which are completely unique to Northwestern.
Literally thousands of trainees of various professions and specialties attend training
events within STIL's walls. Industry partners and specialty societies partner with
us at Northwestern for our simulation expertise and for our world-class faculty
and facility.