OSF HealthCare unveils area’s first Mobile Health Care Simulator

submitted photo The Journal
With the simulator, OSF can now take the show on the road to any EMS provider.

OSF HealthCare held a special blessing ceremony August 9, for its new, state-of-the-art mobile health care simulator, at the OSF Northern Region EMS West State Training Facility, 3501 W. State St. Rockford.
The Sisters made a decision in the late 1970s to train EMS personnel in an established area as a public service and to provide this as a community benefit. This new equipment will allow OSF EMS to continue training more than 2,500 EMS providers in 70 agencies within our EMS system. “Instead of coming to OSF Saint Anthony for training, we can now take the show on the road to any EMS provider,” said Dr. Daniel Butterbach, medical director, OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center Emergency Department.
The ambulance-like simulator and equipment creates real world situations with critical emergency conditions that will better prepare first responders in caring for their neighbors in critical situations, stroke, cardiac events and other medical emergencies. The simulator will also allow participants to feel as though they are in a real ambulance while creating road-like conditions including sirens, engine noise and road noise. Among the features of this simulator are: four high definition cameras/DVR; two-way audio wireless speaker for audio distraction; Instructor control panel and the tow vehicle, which is a 2019 GMC Sierra 2500.
The mobile simulator was made possible by a donation from Jay and Christina Akely. Jay is a retired police officer and firefighter who understands so clearly the real-world of rescues and the importance of continuous training. The OSF HealthCare Foundation also generously contributed to the purchase of the mobile simulator.
“As a retired first responder, I am well aware of the trauma victims experience in the first minutes of an injury,” said Jay. “This equipment will benefit the treatment that can be provided those patients. I am gratified to be a part of this program that OSF has initiated.”