Tri C Health Careers Western Campus January 26th, 2008
On this day Saturday, January 26, 2008, the students of the STEP program ventured to the Tri-C West Campus, located in Parma, Oh. Upon arrival the students were met by Yvonne George, who explained to the students what the day's tour was going to consist of. As such students were divided into three smaller groups where they went on three separate tours throughout the facility.
One group of students went with Mr. Daniel McDermott to the Physician Assistant Lab. Mr. McDermott explained the students that this is where students studying to be a physician assistant learn about and practice handling all of the tools used in an operating room. In addition, he explained that the PA students also learn how to properly prepare / "scrub" (wash their hands) before entering an operating room. Mr. McDermott explained in detail to the STEP students the actual procedure of how and why this is done.
Next,…the STEP students moved across the to the other side of the lab to the fully functional clinic simulation room. Here the students of the STEP program saw where PA students learn how to make clinical diagnoses. Mr. McDermott explained that PA students are actually given 5 "live" patients who are actually faking various symptoms, to see if the PA students can make the proper diagnosis. In addition, students were also able to see the inside of a human ear, and were told how to make the diagnosis of an ear infection, by seeing a normal ear, and were explained to how an ear with an infection would look drastically different. The last part of this tour consisted of the students sitting down and learning how to correctly make a "suture". Each student was given the proper instruction and then was given the opportunity to try it themselves. Surprisingly many of the STEP students were successful in following the instructions. One student was so successful that he actually made a "running stitch."
One of the other portions of this day's tour was conducted by Ms. Kelly Chronister. Ms. Chronister showed the students how to intubate an individual. Intubation is the process that is used most commonly at a trauma scene involving accidents victims.
Students then gathered in a room in which there were several half torso manikins. These manikins were equipped with actually working lungs, stomachs and throats with the two separate access points. One is the airway, and the other is the esophagus. Students were shown how to distinguish between the two. In addition, students learned how to properly insert the intubation tube properly. Students were shown how when inserted improperly, the stomach inflates, and when done properly how the lungs inflate.
The last part of the tour for this group of students featured the HPU's (Human Patient Simulators). The Human Patient Simulator is a lifelike manikin; this mechanical medical simulation system is designed so that (PA) students are able to monitor (Peter's) the HPS pulse, heart rate, as well as being able to see him breathe. During they're training PA's and Nurses learn how to monitor the effects on the human body, when different medication are administered, based on the symptoms that the HPS presents with. The STEP students learned the HPS's provide valuable training to PA students as well as many of our future EMS personnel.
After all the students had the opportunity to visit all three parts of the tour, they returned to 1201 Lakeside back to the Cleveland Division of Water for lunch. Afterwards, students received a presentation given by the Cleveland EMS telling them what EMS training consist of and what they're responsibilities are. In addition, students were given the opportunity to see first hand, the equipment that is on board an EMS vehicle.
