In 1998, SCMIS established one of the best (and earliest) skills labs in the United States.  The Simulation and Training Laboratory is housed in the medical school building and contains a wide variety of heavily utilized simulation equipment within it's 1,500 square feet.  In June 2006, the center became accredited through the American College of Surgeons as a Regional Education Institute (News Release; ACS Division of Education).

The Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery offers educational and training programs for students, residents, nurses, practicing physicians, and other allied-health professionals.  The core of its mission is to provide the most up-to-date education and training in minimally invasive surgical techniques. Numerous modalities, including didactic lectures, computer-based tutorials, laparoscopic and virtual reality simulators, bench models, live surgery videoconferencing, and hands-on practice on operative models, are used to facilitate teaching knowledge, judgment, and technical skill components.  Much of this teaching is conducted in the Simulation and Training Laboratory , as well as other center and campus facilities.

Simulators include a 6-station Karl Storz Videotrainer (equipped with the 5 "Southwestern" stations, as well as FLS models and Common Bile Duct Exploration models), 3 MIST VR Systems, TEP Inguinal Hernia models, a Simbionix UroMentor and GIMentor, a B&K Ultrasound Machine and Sono Phantoms, and stereotactic breast biopsy equipment.

Numerous ongoing training courses are routinely offered and are supervised by the center's education coordinator, Lisa Hollet, RN, MA and Seifu Tesfay, RN,MS and faculty from several departments.

SKILLS LAB CURRICULA VIDEO TUTORIALS

• Open Knot Tying and Suturing Curriculum
• Southwestern Videotrainer Skills Tutorials

SKILLS LAB CURRICULA AND SUPPORTING MATERIALS

DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY

Surgery Residents

General:

Open Knot-Tying and Suturing

Trauma/Critical care:

Breast:

Vascular:

Laparoscopic:

Endoscopic:

• • Flexible Endoscopy

Team Training:

• • References

3rd Year Medical Students and PA Students

• • • Open Knot-tying and Suturing (Introduction)
    • Foley Catheter Insertion
    • Breast Exam
    • References
      

      MS3 Skills Poster Presentation :
      Naylor RA, Hollett LA, Mitchell IC, Bowling MW, Ma A, Dineen SP, Bruns BR, Scott DJ. Can medical students achieve skills proficiency through simulation training? Surgical Education Week, Association for Surgical Education, Toronto, Canada, Apr. 15-19, 2008.

4th Year Medical Students (Preparation for Surgical Internship Course)

• • • Open Knot-Tying and Suturing
      • Score sheets
      • Video Tutorials
      • References
    • Lap II Basic & Advanced Laparoscopic Skills: FLS
      • Score Sheets
      • Video Tutorials
      • References

DEPARTMENT OF GYNECOLOGY

    Gynecology Residents

• • • Open Knot-tying and Suturing
    • Lap II Basic & Advanced Laparoscopic Skills:  FLS
    • Basic Laparoscopic and Open Cadaver Course
    • Team Training: Laparoscopic Patient Safety, Communication, and Leadership (joint curriculum with Departments of Surgery, Gynecology, Anesthesia, and Nursing)

3^rd Year Medical Students and PA Students

• • • Lap I Basic Laparoscopic Skills (Introduction)

DEPARMTENT OF UROLOGY

• • • UroMentor: Cystoscopy, Uretersocopy, & Percutaneous Nephrostomy
    • LapMentor: Laparoscopic Skills

DEPARTMENT OF ANESTHESIA

• • • Team Training: Laparoscopic Patient Safety, Communication, and Leadership (joint curriculum with Departments of Surgery, Gynecology, Anesthesia, and Nursing)

Nursing Courses

• • • Introduction to Laparoscopic Skills for OR Nurses/Surgical Techs
    • Team Training: Laparoscopic Patient Safety, Communication, and Leadership (joint curriculum with Departments of Surgery, Gynecology, Anesthesia, and Nursing)