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Michigan nursing school uses mannequins that give birth, vomit, and bleed for medical lessons

Posted at 6:16 AM, Apr 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-26 07:18:14-04

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Specially trained simulation instructors at the University of Michigan’s nursing school are using mannequins to teach students how to respond to real-life medical situations, including emergencies.

The high-fidelity mannequins are housed in six simulation rooms set up inside the Ann Arbor school’s new Clinical Learning Center building. They can bleed, vomit and even give birth — just like real patients.

The nursing school’s leadership says there is value in allowing students to make mistakes without endangering real patients.

As Clinical Learning Center Director Michelle Aebersold puts it: “People clearly remember the times they screw up.”

Students can practice suctioning secretions from the trachea and electrically shocking the heart into starting again.

Junior Alexandra Noga says the exercises are “really helpful, because they can simulate a lot of real-life issues.”