Birthing mannequins deliver training to health professionals

CALGARY - New, computer-controlled mannequins that simulate childbirth are now helping Alberta Health Services (AHS) health professionals practise rarely performed procedures and interventions that could ultimately save the lives of mothers and newborns.

Noelle is a life-size, full-body mannequin that gives birth — either through the birth canal or by Caesarian section — and recreates all the sights, sounds and symptoms of everything from a normal labour and delivery to the rarest, most dangerous complications.

Baby Hal comes in two sizes: a full-term, 40-week newborn and a 28-week premature baby. He gives the audio, visual and symptomatic cues of either a healthy or seriously distressed infant, presents full vital signs and acts and sounds like a real newborn.

AHS staff and medical residents are now using Noelle and Hal to perform CPR, start intravenous lines, insert catheters and ventilation tubes, and perform many other interventions vital to each scenario. The simulations are performed in clinical environments to enhance their realism.

“It’s about patient safety, first and foremost,” says AHS simulation consultant Sue Barnes. “Simulation provides an environment to practise high-risk, low-frequency events. We look at how teams work together in a time of crisis, so when a real crisis occurs, they’re prepared for it.”

AHS regularly uses computer-controlled adult and pediatric human patient simulators for training. Noelle and Hal are the latest and most advanced simulators specifically designed to help staff address complications arising from childbirth.

The mannequins can simulate serious birth complications that cause fetal distress or event cardiac arrest, such as a baby losing oxygen or being stuck on delivery.

“Noelle provides the complete birthing experience before, during and after delivery,” says Barnes.

Simulation scenarios are performed in clinical environments to make each scenario as realistic as possible for participating health professionals.

Noelle and Hal arrived at AHS in April and have already been used by labour and delivery teams at Peter Lougheed Centre and Foothills Medical Centre. The goal is to get Noelle in front of labour and delivery staff, including physicians and medical residents, across the province. Most recently, Noelle and premie Hal were used to simulate a pedestrian-versus-car trauma delivery within the Peter Lougheed emergency department.

Noelle will be used for AHS orientation training for newly hired nursing staff, multidisciplinary emergency drills and annual education days.

“In the past, simulation training for the obstetrical educators was very challenging,” says Yvonne Luu, a clinical nurse educator on the labour and delivery unit of Peter Lougheed Centre.

“One of our greatest challenges was coming up with different methods to create a sense of realism for our learners so they would stay engaged in the process. Noelle, however, makes simulation teaching more efficient, simple, comprehensive and enjoyable for both the educator and the learner. Noelle will provide our staff with the opportunity to develop and improve many obstetrical required skills. This will be a more exciting and engaging way to learn.”

Noelle and Hal are the most recent additions to eSIM (educate, Simulate, Innovate, Motivate) team in the Calgary Zone of AHS. Established last year, it’s the only provincewide simulation program in Canada and is designed to provide health-care professionals across the province with the best training possible to ensure Albertans receive the safest and highest-quality care.

The mannequins, which cost $45,000, were purchased through contributions by the Calgary Health Trust. The new equipment is part of the $1.17-million development of the Peter Lougheed Centre Simulation Centre funded through the Peter Lougheed Development Council and the Calgary Health Trust. The Calgary Health Trust is continuing to raise funds for other simulation equipment and resources for different areas of care, including critical care and emergency; pediatrics and neonatal intensive care; and surgical care. All equipment and resources will be kept in one simulation centre.
“This innovative equipment, which was funded through generous contributions to the Calgary Health Trust, gives medical staff hands-on training for best- and worst-case scenarios,” says Sally Flintoft, CEO, Calgary Health Trust. “This invaluable training will give staff the confidence and experience they need when real-life emergencies arise.”

AHS facilities handle more than 50,000 births per year.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.7 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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