Meet SimJunior - a computerised 6-year-old
He talks, he breathes, and is repeatedly plagued by major health issues.
SimJunior is an extremely life-like computer controlled mannequin who had just arrived at Tauranga Hospital. He represents a six-year-old child by simulating a wide range of health conditions.
SimJunior can be programmed by a trainer to go from a healthy, talking youth to an unresponsive critical patient with no vital signs.
Both new and experienced healthcare providers can perform all the clinical and technical steps that are required when treating a real child.
Hospital paediatrician Jeremy Armishaw said SimJunior had pre-recorded voice sounds and could respond with accurate vital signs to medical interventions.
"This means we can practice all aspects of intensive paediatric care and resuscitation on a life like mannequin, for example airway management, severe asthma, seizures and cardiac arrest."
SimJunior is the first high-tech mannequin owned by the Bay of Plenty District Health Board.
Sarah Strong, Clinical School manager, said they had a collection of static mannequins for training.
"However none are as realistic or sophisticated as SimJunior. It brings comprehensive, hands-on training that will ensure that we're providing the best in care for our patients."
SimJunior with equipment, training scenarios and insurance is valued at $54,623 and was funded by the Tauranga Community Health Trust.
The Bay of Plenty Clinical School is seeking further funding and sponsorship to create a 'SimFamily', which will involve purchasing a collection of adult and infant-sized Sim training mannequins.
