World-Class Simulation Lab Saves Lives

Thanks to an innovative partnership between the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Nursing School, HMSA Foundation, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, The Queen’s Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente Hawai'i, the UH Translational Health Science Simulation Center (THSSC) is transforming nursing education in Hawaiʻi.

The THSSC is the only simulation center of its kind in Hawaiʻi. It uses real-life health care scenarios (cases) so that students can gain the hands-on experience, confidence and skills they need to provide quality care.

The center integrates state-of-the art equipment, electronic patient records and practices currently used by the state’s leading medical centers. Here students enjoy an enriched learning environment with realistic clinical settings, high-fidelity manikins, bedside computers, digitalized video recordings, and interactive instructional software.

The THSCC trains our future nurses and practicing healthcare professionals. "The center supports lifelong learning opportunities for Hawaiʻi’s nurses and the entire health care team," said Mary G. Boland, dean, School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene. "This center is helping students learn and seasoned healthcare professionals stay abreast of changes in patient treatment and procedures."

 Watch students in action in critical
care, neonatal nursery, and other
simulated clinical settings.

"This is a safe environment for learning where one can make a mistake and learn from it," said Lorrie Wong, Ph.D., associate professor and director of THSSC. "These scenarios give the experience, but the real learning takes place in the debriefing room, where students view instant-replay video and evaluate their performance. They do this without the pressure of testing or grading. Once they make a mistake in simulation, they are less likely to repeat it in clinical practice.”

Health care touches everyone. At some time, each of us or someone in our family needs professional health care. Thanks to donors, the university, and Hawaiʻi's health care industry, we are ensuring quality care. From educating aspiring nurses to retooling skills of practicing nurses, the UH Translational Health Science Simulation Center is a tremendous resource that will directly benefit us all.

Mahalo to the donors and supporters who have helped bring this vision for Hawaiʻi to life!

HMSA Foundation, The Queen's Medical Center, First Hawaiian Bank Foundation, Hawaii Pacific Health, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals, Inc., Joseph and Vera Long Foundation, The Class of 1960 and other School of Nursing alumni

For more information about the project read MidWeek's cover story.