The Emergency Medical Services Learning Resources Center (EMSLRC) at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics launched Iowa's only emergency medicine simulation lab on wheels.

The lab, which features a realistic ambulance setting, is built within a 40-foot motor home. The lab takes emergency medicine education to physicians, nurses, paramedics, and other emergency care providers across the state.

The Mobile Emergency Treatment Center offers interactive training with high-fidelity patient simulators and prepares the participants for the unexpected. Participants are trained to make appropriate decisions and take timely actions during realistic patient care scenarios.

“We provide health care professionals with firsthand simulation training experience designed to bridge the gap between traditional classroom learning and actual procedures on patients. We bring EMS training to those who are not able to come to us,” says Lee Ridge, PS, FP-C, director, Emergency Medical Simulation Center and Mobile Emergency Treatment Center, EMSLRC.

The mannequins—SimMan® and SimBaby®—are life-sized and equipped with a realistic airway system; an intravenous arm; physiologically correct carotid, femoral, brachial and radial pulses; and more than 2,500 cardiac rhythm variants. The mannequins produce spontaneous breathing, heart and lung sounds, as well as coughing, moaning, and various voice sounds.

“The Mobile Emergency Treatment Center is critical because advanced training for those providing emergency health care is typically limited due to a lack in budgets and available time for participants to be away from work. This lab will dramatically improve the quality of education and training of paramedics, nurses, medical students and resident physicians," said Eric Dickson, MD, head of the UI Department of Emergency Medicine.  "We now have the capability to help educate and train health professionals in their communities anywhere in the state. It will function as our county extension office on wheels.”

The Mobile Center will also serve as an event standby medical facility during RAGBRAI® and other largely populated events.

For more information:

Emergency Medical Services Learning Resources Center (EMSLRC)

Mobile Emergency Treatment Center

Lee Ridge, PS, FP-C

Eric Dickson, MD

UI Department of Emergency Medicine