Quick decisions needed to 'save' Daniel

Daniel was not looking too good as he was wheeled into the Dunedin Hospital emergency room after suffering trauma to his head and lungs.

As junior registrars and senior nurses lifted the sheet covering him, they noticed most of Daniel’s left leg had been blown off.

Thankfully for them, Daniel was not real, he was a $150,000 simulation dummy.

The Otago Clinical Skills Laboratories held a simulation demonstration at the Dunedin Hospital yesterday.

The Otago Daily Times watched in a control room as young healthcare professionals and experienced nurses made quick decisions as to how to save Daniel’s life in a simulated emergency room.

Clinical Skills Lab co-director and doctor Ohad Dar said the team performed well and communicated effectively.

"We wanted to make sure they have the skill set to deal with real emergencies in the future, ensuring operational readiness."

Construction of the simulation centre finished last August and cost more than $300,000.

Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic were planning to expand the centre into the new Dunedin hospital.

titus.lambertlane@odt.co.nz