EDMONTON and MONTREAL – CAE Healthcare and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) announced today that they have entered a simulation research partnership to improve healthcare education and patient safety, including support for NAIT’s simulation research initiatives.

“This new partnership is another example of how NAIT and the School of Health and Life Sciences are leaders in higher education and essential to Alberta,” said Rick Trimp (pictured), Dean, School of Health and Life Sciences. “The leading-edge simulation technology available to our students and staff is second to none in Canada, and will ensure our graduates are equipped with the skills to succeed.”

An international leader in the field of simulation-based education and training for healthcare, CAE Healthcare has also certified NAIT as a CAE Healthcare Centre of Excellence. NAIT students and industry partners now have access to some of the most advanced medical simulation technology available as a result of the innovative partnership.

“The leadership of NAIT and the School of Health and Life Sciences is forward-thinking, driven to push the boundaries of healthcare simulation to develop new, evidence-based practices and training technologies for tomorrow’s clinicians,” said Dr. Robert Amyot, president, CAE Healthcare. “As a CAE Healthcare Centre of Excellence, NAIT will offer a real-world test lab for interdisciplinary, simulation-based education that will advance healthcare and patient safety.”

The School of Health and Life Science’s 560-square-metre (6,000-square-foot) multi-disciplinary simulation centre at Main Campus is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and technology that enhances teaching and learning capabilities. This technology – including some of the most advanced medical manikins available – allows students to practice realistic scenarios in a controlled environment and be better prepared to work with real patients.

The high fidelity manikins and equipment in the School of Health and Life Sciences include:

• The CAE HPS, an advanced patient simulator with working cardiovascular and respiratory systems that react to anesthesia and other medications.
• CAE Caesar, a trauma patient simulator that can simulate severe injuries, such as severed limbs.
• CAE Lucina, a childbirth simulator that can simulate both normal delivery and emergency situations.
• The CAE Vimedix Ultrasound Simulator, a comprehensive simulator with 3D anatomy that accelerates the development of skills needed to assess and diagnose patients.
• Surgical Cut Suits developed by Strategic Operations (STOPS) that are worn by actors to provide students the ability practice emergency or trauma procedures.

This partnership with CAE Healthcare allows NAIT to continue to expand its medical simulation program and recognizes the polytechnic as a global leader in advanced medical simulation.

About NAIT

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) is a leading Canadian polytechnic, delivering education in science, technology and the environment; business; health and trades. With nearly 60,000 credit and non-credit students and a 95 per cent employer satisfaction rate, NAIT is essential to Alberta’s prosperity. Known for hands-on, technology-based learning, NAIT engages with business and industry in applied research and innovation and provides corporate training around the world. Recognized as one of Alberta’s top employers, NAIT provides outstanding returns on investment for its graduates, partners, the provincial government and the people of Alberta.

About CAE Healthcare

CAE Healthcare offers cutting-edge learning tools to healthcare students and professionals, allowing them to develop practical experience through risk-free simulation training before treating real patients. CAE Healthcare’s full spectrum of simulation solutions includes surgical and imaging simulation, curriculum, the LearningSpace audiovisual and center management platform and highly realistic adult, pediatric and baby patient simulators. Today, approximately 10,500 CAE Healthcare simulators and audiovisual solutions are in use worldwide by medical schools, nursing schools, hospitals, defence forces and other entities. For more information, please visit www.cae.com/healthcare.