CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) – Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center unveiled its new nursing simulation lab.

“It’s really fabulous. I think it’s going to certainly help improve the medical care at the Holy Spirit Hospital and Hampton Medical Center,” said Richard Stewart, Edward R. Norford charitable foundation board member.

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It offers real-life clinical scenarios with a very realistic mannequin.

“This certainly will help our nursing staff be more ready for emergencies when patients have emergencies,” said Leslyn Williamson, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer at Penn State Health’s Hampden and Holy Spirit medical centers.

The mannequins can simulate lung sounds, heart beats, heart murmurs, dilated pupils, it even sweats and blinks. The female mannequin can simulate all stages of labor and delivery.

“This type of learning is really beneficial to the nurse firsthand to be able to practice in a safe environment and learn from what they’re doing in the interventions that they’re doing for the patient with, you know, no ill harm to the patient,” said Michele Aeberli, Regional Director for nursing professional development and education for the West Shore.

Officials say this hands-on-learning approach is anticipated to boost recruitment efforts.

“Also to retain our nurses because now they know we have a higher level of technology to help them simulate the care that they will be providing to our patients,” said Williamson.

The labs were funded with a $250,000 gift from the Edward R. Norford Foundation.

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