The Washington University Institute for Surgical Education (WISE) skills lab offers several options to further the education and training of surgery residents, medical students, faculty and staff at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. These offerings include labs and simulations in open suture techniques, laparoscopic techniques and robotic techniques alongside several other labs and certifications.
In Jan. the WISE lab received the donation of an Intuitive da Vinci Xi Robot with an Xi SimNow Simulator. This robot and simulator expands the education and training available at the WISE Lab.
Growing the WISE Mission
In March, the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Operating Room staff hosted their first Robotics OR Skills Day in the WISE Lab.
This event was led by Abigail Cracchiolo, RN, BSN, Robotic Nurse Coordinator with industry support from Intuitive da Vinci Robot. Karen Schubert, Surgical Skills Coordinator for the WISE Lab, assisted OR staff during the skills lab.
“We have been excited and fortunate to continuously grow our mission,” says Michael Awad, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of the WISE Lab. The mission of WISE is to promote the education of health care professionals, advance the field of surgical education through educational research and improve the welfare of the greater patient community. “Providing education and training across the School of Medicine, and beyond, is a key part of what we do.”
Forty-seven staff members attended the OR Nurse Robotics Skills Day, including OR nurses and surgical technologists.
During the session, OR staff reviewed draping, docking and undocking of the Si and Xi robots—an important role in OR patient care. The OR nurse staff was introduced to the Xi SimNow Virtual Reality Simulator, which offers simulation exercises optimized to engage surgeons from novice to advanced experience levels, honing their skills by driving da Vinci instruments in a virtual environment.
The OR staff enjoyed being in the WISE Lab for training, and found the experience beneficial to their practice in patient care.
“Getting hands-on experience in the lab setting is an incredible way to review and update our skills,” one nurse says.
Leading up to this event, some OR nurses came to the WISE Lab for individual training and to further their robotic education. As the Department of Surgery continues to lead in patient care, research and education, the WISE Lab offers skills training to ensure that residents, medical students, faculty, nurses and surgical technologists have access to the best training and certification in surgical skills and simulation.