Training Headwalls are a critical element of any hospital patient room as they help turn any simulation lab into a realistic patient care area. Headwalls are integral for many patient care activities including oxygen therapy, suctioning, and mechanical ventilation. For that exact reason, it is important that students are utilizing headwall features and learning the capabilities so that students are better prepared for clinical settings. This article provides five important considerations to help educators choose the best headwalls for their simulation lab. 

Simulated training headwall facades 

Non-functioning headwalls are designed to give the appearance of a patient room without the cost of simulated suction or medical gasses. They are well suited for nursing assistant programs to demonstrate basic patient care skills. The SimLabSolutions 30″ Mirage Surface Mounted Headwall is easily installed and comes ready to use with a complete accessories package:

-Flowmeters for medical air and simulated oxygen

-Set of two (2) humidifier bottles 

-3-mode continuous vacuum regulator

-Suction canister with ring

-Nurse call facade with code blue button and hand pendant

Wall-mounted headwalls

SimLabSolutions functioning headwalls use a centralized or external air compressor to provide suction and simulated medical gasses. They are ideal for advanced skills validations and interdisciplinary simulations. Horizontal 24”, 36” and 48” Discover headwalls are ideal for individual patient care while the 60” headwall has two sets of equipment for semi-private rooms. The double tier 60” Discover headwall provides additional rail space for diagnostic equipment and storage baskets. Vertical Vision headwalls are only 20” wide for simulation labs with minimal wall space. All functioning headwalls include the complete accessories package. 

Mobile headwalls

SimLabSolutions Mobile Discover and Vision headwalls are portable options that allow educators to create patient care areas in different rooms as needed. They are mounted to mobile stands with locking caster wheels so they can be moved into place as needed. A silent external air compressor is used to provide suction, air and simulated oxygen on the go. For the ultimate portable training option, educators can choose the Vantage Med-Surg Tutor Bed with an integrated 36” headwall. It combines the only new training hospital bed on the market with a functioning headwall in a self-contained unit. 

Specialty units

All SimLabSolutions headwalls can be customized for surgical, neonatal, and pediatric care areas. Continuous High Surgical vacuum regulators provide high flow rates up to 750 mmHg for OR environments. For younger patients, pediatric and neonatal models regulate to 160 mmHg and 100 mmHg with relief valves to limit the maximum vacuum. All of these options can be upgraded to digital displays for accuracy. For oxygen administration, pediatric and neonatal flowmeters have maximum flow rates of 1-8 LPM as compared to 15 LPM adult flowmeters. The standard SimLabSolutions connection is Ohmeda but educators can also order DISS, DISS Hand Tight, Chemetron and ⅛” NFPT fittings as needed. 

Diagnostic equipment

Rail mounted Amico diagnostic equipment sets for Vision and Discover headwalls allow BP cuffs, thermometers, oto/ophthalmoscope stations and specula dispensers to be kept at the bedside. Integrated mounting plates securely lock equipment onto the rails and items can be easily reorganized as desired. Educators can even add streak retinoscopes, nasal illuminators and operating otoscopes for advanced diagnostic training. To promote safety in the sim lab, all of the power cords are hidden within the headwall for clear navigation around the bed. 

Final thoughts

The right headwall is an essential component of any simulation lab. However, it can be difficult to decide which headwall is best suited for your sim lab. The DiaMedical USA team is ready to help programs balance cost and functionality in order to find the right headwall to meet the learning needs of their students. Check out the Tuesday Teaching’s episode below where we demonstrate a training headwall simulation. For more information, reach out to a DiaMedical USA expert at 877-593-6011 or info@diamedicalusa.com