Jefferson Davis Community College is reaching out to assist students in Escambia County High School’s Health Science program.

Thanks to a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, JDCC’s Atmore campus recently received $300,000 for simulation equipment to be used in the college’s nursing program.

A component of the grant includes a partnership with the ECHS health program that would allow the local high school students to visit JD’s Atmore campus and utilize the new equipment. In addition, ECHS received a simulated human arm used to check for vital signs and insert intravenous tubes.

“It’s almost like the real thing so it’s really good four these kids to get some hands on training,” said Kathleen Hall, JDCC dean of instruction.

Equipment acquired by JDCC using the recent grant money includes an infant-sized medical doll, maternal and neonatal patient simulator, an infant radiant warmer, a haptics device virtual IV and haptics infant virtual IV as well as digital simulation, recording and audiovisual equipment for the simulation lab, control room and debriefing area.

As students use the simulated patient equipment they will be able to measure vitals and distribute appropriate medicines. Other students will observe through a two-way mirror in a neighboring control room.

Hall said the simulation lab provides nursing students with increased exposure to real life clinical scenarios.

“It’s so much fun to see all of this in operation,” she said. “And we are thrilled to have our high students with us.”

For the complete story see the Saturday, February 4 edition of The Atmore Advance.