Researchers from the University of Delaware have developed a new piece of equipment for simulation of a patient with a tracheostomy. The equipment is called the SimUTrach prototype. In these student training scenarios, students practice giving care to a live actor who wears a chest plate with a tracheostomy. When care or suctioning is provided, the actor is alerted by vibrations indicating the need to respond to the student’s actions, such as by coughing.

“Carroll Community College Nursing students were excited to work with the visiting researchers using a novel form of student training,” said Nursing Professor and Simulation Specialist Nancy Rogers. “Our students told the visitors that working with a live patient added to the reality of the training because it helped them to better understand the needs of the patient.”

Researcher Amy Bucha and actor Robert Tilley said that Carroll students and instructors were “incredibly welcoming and gave us great feedback.” The SimUTrach was invented by Amy Cowperthwait, for SimUCare, a Division of University of Delaware.


Pictured from left to right: Elizabeth Ngengwe, Robert Tilley (actor), Miriam Mhizha. Ms. Ngengwe and Ms. Mhizha are students in the LPN to RN Transition Program offered each summer at Carroll Community College.

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