WISER: Advancing Patient Safety Through Medical Simulation
The Peter M. Winter Institute for Simulation, Education, and Research (WISER) stands as a cornerstone of the UPMC commitment to patient safety. By bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice, WISER provides a controlled environment where healthcare providers can master complex procedures without risking patient wellbeing.
The concept behind WISER was inspired by the aviation industry's use of flight simulators. In the late 1990s, the vision was expanded to ensure that not only medical students but all healthcare providers could practice high-risk, dangerous, and complicated procedures in a simulated clinical setting before treating actual patients.
The Origins of WISER
WISER was founded by Dr. Peter Winter, the Chair of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. A pioneer in patient safety and one of the founding figures of medical simulation, Dr. Winter recognized the critical need for a dedicated simulation center to train department personnel in the early 1990s.
Launching the center required significant investment and determination. The initial simulator acquired for the program cost over $250,000—a substantial sum at the time. With the addition of computers and specialized equipment, the center officially opened in 1994 on the third floor of Montefiore University Hospital (now known as UPMC Montefiore).
Dr. Paul Phrampus, from the Departments of Anesthesia and Emergency Medicine, played a vital role in the institute's early days, assisting Dr. Winter in securing the necessary funding and office space to bring the vision to life.
Developing a Comprehensive Training Environment
To create a realistic learning experience, WISER developed simulated environments that mirrored actual clinical settings, including operating rooms, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds, and emergency department bays. These spaces were outfitted with authentic anesthesia machines, monitors, and ventilators.
Between 1994 and 1998, faculty members developed diverse curricula. These programs utilized a variety of performance evaluation tools, integrating then-emerging technologies such as CD-ROMs, the Internet, digital video, and Palm-based devices.
Innovation and the AirMan Simulator
WISER has not only been a site for education but also a hub for medical innovation. In 1996, under the leadership of directors Dr. Renæ Gonzales (1994–1996) and Dr. John Schaefer (1996–2005), the institute designed and patented a difficult-airway simulator. This device was engineered to be more portable, affordable, and functional than the full-sized simulators available at the time.
This innovation, known as the AirMan, was commercially manufactured by the Medical Plastics Laboratory, which was later acquired by the Laerdal Corporation. The technology from the AirMan was eventually integrated into the SimMan, a comprehensive full-scale human simulator.
In recognition of the technological contributions of Asmund Laerdal and Tore Laerdal, whose corporation designed and built much of the equipment that made the institute possible, WISER maintains a dedicated classroom in honor of Tore Laerdal.
Key Facts
- Founder: Dr. Peter Winter, a pioneer in patient safety and medical simulation.
- Affiliation: Part of the UPMC commitment to patient safety.
- Established: Launched in 1994 at UPMC Montefiore.
- Key Innovation: Patented the AirMan difficult-airway simulator in 1996.
- Industry Impact: AirMan technology was later integrated into the SimMan full-scale simulator.
- Inspiration: Modeled after aviation flight simulators to reduce risk in high-stakes medical procedures.
WISER Institutional Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 1994 |
| Primary Goal | Patient safety through simulated clinical training |
| Initial Investment | Over $250,000 for the first simulator |
| Key Products | AirMan (Difficult-airway simulator) |
| Technology Partners | Laerdal Corporation |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary purpose of WISER?
WISER is dedicated to improving patient safety by allowing medical students and healthcare providers to practice high-risk and complicated procedures in a simulated environment before performing them on actual patients.
Who founded the institute?
The institute was founded by Dr. Peter Winter, the Chair of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.
What is the AirMan simulator?
The AirMan is a patented, portable, and affordable difficult-airway simulator developed at WISER in 1996 by Drs. Renæ Gonzales and John Schaefer.
How did aviation influence the creation of WISER?
Dr. Winter adopted the concept of flight simulators from the aviation industry, applying the same logic of risk-free, simulated practice to the clinical medical setting.
What is the relationship between WISER and the Laerdal Corporation?
The Laerdal Corporation manufactured the AirMan simulator and provided much of the simulation technology that enabled WISER's operations; consequently, WISER has a classroom dedicated to Tore Laerdal.