University Times

UPMC Health System is launching a mobile learning laboratory for paramedics and emergency medicine physicians that combines state-of-the-art audiovisual and simulation technology.

The UPMC Health Van will be used for paramedic training and disaster response as well as for community health screenings and medical coverage for special events. The van holds enough space for two fully equipped hospital emergency treatment rooms and has a triage area that can be used for filling out paperwork during health screenings. The van is wheelchair accessible.

Paramedics will have the opportunity to train on patient simulators that can be programmed to present with a multitude of breathing difficulties, for example, stemming from choking or trauma.

By using equipment jointly developed by Tri-State Video Services, paramedics will wear a Laerdal MedicCam, part of the high-tech audiovisual equipment that paramedics wear as training gear. This technology will permit emergency educators to observe training drills through the eyes of the student.

The van is funded by a $125,000 grant from the Pittsburgh Emergency Medicine Foundation. Laerdal Corporation also contributed by donating $75,000 worth of training equipment.