Department of Anesthesiology

Human Simulator

One of the most exciting and innovative methods of teaching clinical anesthesiology is through the use of human simulation. The Department of Anesthesiology at West Virginia University has demonstrated its commitment to education in its purchase of the M.E.T.I. Human Patient Simulator in 1998. The core of the sophisticated device is an extremely life-like mannequin that breathes, has pulses, heart sounds,


and an airway that can be programmed for different degrees of obstruction. It generates E.K.G. signals, invasive pressure waveforms, expired carbon dioxide and even thumb twitch to measure neuromuscular blockade. Computer modeling allows the instructor to select or create a baseline patient profile with complex physiologic attributes such as coronary artery disease, pregnancy or advanced age.


The instructor then chooses interesting scenarios such as acute hemorrhage, aortic cross clamping or anaphylaxis. It is up to the care team to use their skills of physical diagnosis, interpretation of data from monitors and experience to make the proper management decisions. Automatic drug recognition allows the simulator to react in real time to pharmacologic treatment.