Washington State University: Clinical Simulation Center to hold open house as part of Healthcare Simulation Week
The Clinical Simulation Center at Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine will hold an open house 1–2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, as part of worldwide Healthcare Simulation Week.
The first 50 guests at the open house will receive free ice cream grabbers from Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe.
Healthcare Simulation Week, sponsored by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, celebrates professionals who use health care simulation to improve the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of health care delivery. The Society for Simulation in Healthcare is the largest health care simulation organization in the world, with more than 5,100 members from more than 60 countries.
WSU’s Simulation-Based Education is the world’s first and only veterinary program accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.
Simulation-Based Education provides hands-on veterinary training, ranging from basic suturing to surgery, anesthesia and emergency room care. Students, veterinarians and veterinary technicians have access to some of the most advanced medical training models, many provided by private support, including life-sized cow and horse models, dog resuscitation models with both heart and lung sounds, anesthesia models to learn intubation, and a state-of-the-art technical room equipped to simulate many types of operating and emergency situations.
The program also uses trained actors so students can practice communicating effectively with clients in real-world situations, such as when an animal owner may disagree about treatment options, concerns about how to pay for care or knowing when it is time to say goodbye to a beloved animal.
As societal expectations of high‑quality, affordable veterinary care continue to rise, producing graduates with problem‑solving and technical skills, and excellent communication training will become increasingly critical.
“Simulation-Based Education is a key component to training some of the most prepared and competent veterinary graduates in the country,” said Dr. Julie Cary, director of WSU’s Simulation-Based Education program. “We use simulation to enhance student exposure and experience, building their confidence and increasing patient safety.”