EMS students working with wireless, tetherless adult patient simulator

Unlike HAL 9000, the sentient computer from 2001: A Space Odyssey, HAL® S3000 does not go crazy and try to kill the astronaut crew of the interplanetary spacecraft, Discovery One. HAL® S3000 is a prehospital and nursing adult patient simulator with advanced technological features. HAL is a training boon for students in the Emergency Medical Services program at Inver Hills Community College.
“HAL operates with tetherless technology that eliminates external tubes, wires and compressors,” said Angela Kain, an EMS lab assistant at the college. “Our older model simulators don’t have this capability. We can take HAL anywhere, even outside or in a car. We can control HAL’s functions wirelessly using a laptop computer.”
Angela reported that acquiring HAL, who cost about $40,000, was made possible through the General Equipment Fund. Each dollar contributed is matched through leveraged equipment funds available from the state of Minnesota.

“Rush HAL® from the accident scene to the ER, to the ICU, while care providers diagnose and treat his condition using real monitoring and resuscitation equipment. Control HAL® at distances up to 300 meters and between rooms and floors of conventional buildings. HAL® smoothly transitions between physiologic states in response to commands from a wireless PC.” — Gaumard Scientific

More about HAL® S3000…

HAL’s list of features runs the gamut of potential emergency medical trouble spots, from airway, breathing and neurologic to cardiac/circulation and more. Here are just a few of HAL’s advantages that allow EMS students to hone their lifesaving skills:

• Students can take blood pressure using a blood pressure cuff, palpation or auscultation methods.
• Students can practice oral or nasal intubation, including ETT, LMA and King LT.
• Students can practice bolus and/or IV infusion.
• Students can attach real electrodes and monitor HAL’s lifelike rhythm in real-time.
• Students can use monophasic or biphasic defibrillators just like a real patient.
• Students can monitor and assess CPR performance in real-time.
• Students can monitor, capture, pace and cardiovert using a real defibrillator, electrodes and real energy.

“We can program HAL to speak and react to our students,” Angela said. “HAL has active eyes with a programmable blink rate, pupil size and pupil reaction. He can have severe or mild seizures. He can have a normal or abnormal heart rate—and he can turn blue to exhibit cyanosis. What’s also nice is that we can track student progress in real-time. HAL is about as close as a simulator can get to a real, living patient.”

EMS student perspectives

Samantha Potter-Rank

Samantha, 23, graduated from Hastings High School in 2011 and resides in Plymouth, Minnesota. She is earning her Associate of Science (A.S.) in Emergency Medical Services at Inver Hills, following the Traditional Track Paramedic route. She already has an A.A. from Inver and a B.A. in Biology from the University of Minnesota.
Once she has her A.S. degree, Samantha plans to work as a paramedic for five years before going on to medical school at the U of M. Her goal is to become an emergency room doctor.
“I’ve wanted to be an ER physician since I was a child,” she said. “When my mom was in a car wreck, the first person she called for help was me, her 16-year-old daughter.”
What do you like best about the EMS program?
“Inver has one of the top five EMS programs in the nation. You really have to know your stuff. You have to be strong at critical thinking.”
What is the most difficult part of the EMS program?
“The instructors are constantly drilling us. It’s like the first year of med school. There is so much you have to know—and that means a lot of study time.”
What do like about HAL?
“He teaches you a lot of cool stuff. You can drill his bones, cut his throat and start IVs. He breathes on his own and his eyes react to light.”
What would you tell someone who’s thinking about becoming a paramedic?
“You have to really want it. The program requires a huge time commitment. You need a good support system. The curriculum is emotionally and physically draining.”

Spring 2017 Paramedic Core Applications Now Available

Applications are now being accepted for the Spring 2017 Paramedic Core. You must submit your application by Friday, Nov. 4, 2016, at 4 p.m. to be considered for acceptance. Questions can be directed to Jeff Morgan, emergency services director.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

Stevi Lindberg

Stevi, 28, is a Fridley High grad, class of 2006. She’s married with three children and resides in Blaine, Minnesota. She’s earning her A.S. in EMS on the Traditional Track Paramedic path. She has plans to go on and earn a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement.
Stevi’s career goals include becoming a SWAT medic involved in search and rescue as well as critical air care.
“All I’ve ever wanted to do is be a paramedic and a police officer,” she said. “I like the adrenaline rush. I come from a long line of paramedics—I’ll be the fifth one in my family.”
What do you like best about the EMS program?
“The instructors are passionate and knowledgeable. They will bend over backwards to help you succeed in the program. I drive by two other EMS programs every day to get here.”
What is the most difficult part of the EMS program?
“So much to learn, so little time.”
What do like about HAL?
“HAL adds realism to our training. He makes a big difference in your learning experience.”
What would you tell someone who’s thinking about becoming a paramedic?
“EMS is not for everyone. But for those in the program, it’s amazing.”

HAL® S3000 (and Marty) gallery

HAL® S3000 Enhances Learning Process Video

Marty

HAL® S3004 One-Year-Old Pediatric Simulator

Inver Hills EMS students also work with Pediatric HAL®, a cousin of HAL® S3000. Nicknamed “Marty” after the donor who provided the simulator to the program, Pediatric HAL® “allows you to take advanced simulation where you need to train. It may be at an accident scene, in an ER, an EMS vehicle, or even in a PICU. HAL® remains fully functional while being moved from place to place. This ‘care in motion’ allows you to evaluate both team training and how well patient ‘hand-offs’ are conducted.” — Gaumard Scientific

To learn more about EMS at Inver Hills, contact:

Jeff Morgan
Director of Emergency Services
651-450-3397
Heritage Hall 203