Students, faculty, and staff at Midland University have been tasked with making many adjustments over the past several weeks due to COVID-19 coronavirus. Now, those adjustments have extended beyond the human element.
Gaumard manikins that had been in place at Methodist Fremont Health since the fall of 2018 were relocated to the nursing lab in Fremont Hall on the Midland campus. The move was necessary to make beds available for potential COVID-19 patients. “We weren’t sure when they might need the beds, but we didn’t want to do anything in a moment of crisis, so we didn’t delay in getting them moved,” said Linda Quinn, Dean of the Midland School of Nursing. “Once we organized a plan for moving the manikins, it took us about five hours for the total process.”
Five manikins were moved during the process. Those included two adult manikins, a manikin that simulates childbirth, a 5-year old pediatric patient, and a newborn. All five manikins are now residing in beds in the nursing lab. Older low fidelity manikins were moved to the classroom portion of the lab to provide space for the Gaumard manikins. Each Gaumard manikin is equipped with a monitor, router, and surface laptop which will allow them to be used for simulated learning.
There are vast differences from the high fidelity manikins to the mannequins you might see hanging out in a department store window. The high fidelity manikins are a combination of complex technology and life-like features. Moving the Gaumard manikins can be a complicated process because of the many complexities involved with the technology. Brian Green, a Field Customer Support Specialist with Gaumard, was on hand to ensure the manikins were properly taken apart, moved, and put together again. “We were fortunate to have him there and his expertise in being able to handle them safely,” Quinn said. “They are now ready to be fully functional in Fremont Hall.”
Many other members of the Midland nursing faculty were on hand to help as well. “It was a great response from our team,” Quinn said. “I knew I could count on them to show up and everyone pulled together.”
It’s just one of many alterations the nursing faculty has had to make this semester. Midland has been doing online instruction since March 9 and has transitioned course and clinical work that had been “hands-on” in the past, to virtual learning. Quinn said that while seniors are still able to do their clinical work at the hospital, other students have had to transition to doing their clinicals online. While it may not be the ideal situation, Quinn has been pleased with the way both the students and faculty have been able to pivot and shift their focus to virtual learning. “Nurses are designed to be critical thinkers, so we are seeing them adapt and shift on that front,” she said. “Our faculty has been very adaptable, has stayed in touch with the students, and is continuing to meet our outcomes. We’ve had a lot to adapt to, but overall, I couldn’t be more pleased with our students and faculty.”
While the COVID-19 situation is likely to remain fluid in the coming months, Quinn said they are hopeful the manikins could be moved back to Methodist Fremont Health by August.
