DiaMedical Journal

One of the most difficult tasks educators face is creating realistic simulation scenarios for students. By engaging in scenarios that closely mimic real-life clinical settings, students are afforded the opportunity to master core competencies as well as gain the confidence to perform in real practice. DiaMedical is proud to offer resources like our Tuesday Teachings video series that serve as a guide to instructors everywhere on how to create realistic and impactful simulation scenarios for students. On this week’s Tuesday Teachings episode, we discuss how educators can utilize a few key products to transform simulations and advance education, all while staying within budget. The video features products like the SimVS Fetal Monitor, Simulaids Rescue Randy Manikin, SimLabSolutions Loaded Postpartum Hemorrhage Cart and a variety of SimRx Simulated Medications and Platelet/Plasma Bags being utilized to easily replicate conditions such as Epidural Anesthesia, Preeclampsia, Umbilical Cord Prolapse and Postpartum Hemorrhage. Watch the full video below to learn how instructors can simulate these scenarios right in their classroom!

National Nurses Week is celebrated May 6th-12th and is a time to acknowledge the dedication and effort put forth by those in the nursing profession. Supported by the American Nurses Association (ANA), the nursing profession is an essential component of the healthcare system and here at DiaMedical our mission is to improve the quality of healthcare by providing educators the tools they need to help shape the future generation of healthcare professionals. As we use this week to recognize the unwavering commitment made by nurses all over and their dedication to making positive impacts to the healthcare field, we want to honor our very own on-staff Nurse Educator Sally O’Meara, MSN, RN. With over 30 years of experience as a registered nurse and 15 years of teaching experience, Sally brings expertise and passion to healthcare education and provides both students and instructors with all the tools to run innovative and cost-effective healthcare simulations! Continue reading below to learn more and enjoy our latest video featuring a sit down with Sally discussing her journey through nursing practice and career at DiaMedical!

Manikins and simulators are a great way to enhance healthcare education, as they bring a new level of realism to traditional classroom settings. When utilized in simulation scenarios, students are able to get more in-depth practice on various skills and procedures, creating an opportunity to master skills validations and gain the confidence to perform in a real-life situation. DiaMedical is a provider of hundreds of manikins, simulators and skills trainers from several manufacturers for a wide range of curriculum and program needs. From pre-hospital and emergency scenarios to specialized care like obstetrics and pediatrics, DiaMedical has you covered. We also offer a wide variety of high and low-fidelity manikins so instructors have all the tools needed to teach students any skill, no matter how advanced. These high-fidelity simulations made possible by some of our medical manikin options provide a key advantage by allowing students an opportunity to immerse themselves in a clinical setting that looks and feels life-like (1). This level of realism supplied by full-body manikins that mimic human physiology is highly beneficial when it comes to preparing future health professionals for real-life scenarios in their practice.

Though pediatric simulation scenarios in healthcare education aren’t practiced as heavily as other simulation scenarios, data shows when being treated for life-threatening events, infants and children have higher mortality and morbidity rates (2). This can in part be traced back to the weaknesses that have existed within pediatric emergency care for quite some time. Pediatric care is not simply a scaled down approach to adult care, as it’s specialized and requires a different skill set and expertise. Specific training that teaches physicians to recognize the physiologic and emotional differences in care between infants/children and adults is vital in order to effectively meet the healthcare needs of pediatric patients (1).

Obesity has become increasingly prevalent in recent years among Americans and has been at the forefront of conversation in the health sphere due to these rising rates. In 2020, the prevalence of obesity in U.S. adults was estimated to be 42.4%, with worldwide rates having tripled from 1975 (4). With the severity of this disease, it’s more crucial than ever to raise awareness and education, as well as place an importance on training future healthcare professionals on how to care for bariatric patients. Organized by the World Obesity Federation, March 4th is recognized annually as World Obesity Day to shed light on the global obesity crisis. Their goal is to end prejudice and bias against obese individuals while simultaneously highlighting the various factors that contribute to high obesity rates. Continue reading to learn more about obesity factors and the training methods instructors can implement to break down the barriers for caring for bariatric patients.