Purpose or Case Report: The purpose of this education is to provide direct practical experience using a simulator to Radiographers on catheterizing the female pediatric patient. The simulator will allow the Radiographer to develop the skills and techniques required for the procedure without exposing patients to unnecessary risks.
Methods & Materials: The simulator model was created to add a life like component to our catheterizing training module. The educational benefits of the simulator included repeated practice, removed patient risk, opportunity to evaluate trainees. We trained new staff the proper technique for catheterizing the female pediatric patient while using the simulator. The simulator was created with very small female infant anatomy. While using the simulator the staff was able to get an realistic feel of the urethra while placing the tube in a non-intimidating environment.
Results: The results of the staff utilizing the simulator as a training tool improved our outcome of successful catheterizations on actual pediatric female patients. The staff gained additional confidence with the repeated practice while using the simulator. Based on the results of our learning experience we have now adapted the simulator as one of our evaluation methods for new hires. The new hires before catheterizing their first patient they must successfully complete multiple skill based simulations.
Conclusions: Pediatric hospitals should include a female pediatric catheterization simulator to their existing training modules for catheterizing.