New Wing At PCOM Features Updated Technology, Robotic Patient Simulators
By Paul Kurtz
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Officials at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine have opened a learning center that promises to give the next generation of surgeons cutting edge, hands-on training.
"This is a quantum leap in the capabilities of what we can do," explains Professor Arthur Sesso -- director of the general surgery residency program.
Sesso is one of many excited about the Saltzburg Clinical Learning & Assessment Center. The 11,000 square foot facility's features include an operating room, an emergency room, a MASH Unit and plenty of life-like robotic patient simulators.
"This particular simulator is capable of talking," says Sesso. "He's capable of bleeding, vomiting, urinating. We can put IV's in him. He has a bar code reader and we have medicines there. He can be adjusted according to medication. They can examine any way they want to examine him."
To spice up the students stress level, the facility also features actors who simulate the chaos of an emergency room scenario.
Funding for the center came from gifts by a PCOM alumnus and a state contribution from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program and other donors.
