Madison Reporter

Madison College has enhanced its EMS training program by outfitting patient simulation manikins with realistic clothing. This initiative, led by simulation instructor Jeremy Ernst, aims to improve the realism of training scenarios for students practicing lifesaving skills.

Ernst emphasizes the importance of varying the clothing on manikins to reflect real-world diversity in patient attire. "In the real world, every patient is going to be wearing something different," he says. The challenge lies in changing clothes on over 80 high-fidelity manikins across five campuses, especially during busy days with numerous simulations.

To address this, Ernst collaborated with Mary Braucht, a fabric arts instructor at Madison College. He sought her students' help to modify donated clothes by adding zippers, mimicking expensive manufacturer-sold garments. In May, twelve volunteers participated in a "sewdown," producing 58 modified garments. Braucht described it as "a very successful sewing day with lots of good vibes all day long."

The project not only saves money but also enhances the learning experience by adding realism and creativity to simulations. Ernst highlights the value of this collaboration: “It allows two completely different school programs to work together and help each other out!”