The HITS Lab is a 7,600-square-foot state-of-the art simulation facility located in Temple Hall at the University of Tennessee. HITS is a high-fidelity simulation space that replicates patient care environments where health care providers learn cognitive, psychomotor (technical), and affective (behavioral) skills using an interprofessional approach. Educational activities delivered in the HITS lab are based on best practices in simulation from the following societies: Society for Simulation In Healthcare (SSH), International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) and the Association of Standardized Patient Educators (ASPE).
The lab has received full accreditation in research and teaching/education in simulation by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). The lab includes areas that simulate the following health care settings; a pediatric suite, medical/surgical room, obstetric delivery room, emergency room, Smart Home apartment space, and four primary care exam rooms. Incorporated into educational simulation experiences for learners are manikins from newborn to adult mimicking life-like physiological responses.
In addition, the lab also provides opportunities for learners implementing trained actors, called simulated or standardized patients, for roles such as patients, family members and inter-professional team members. These simulated realistic clinical experiences prepare team members to be ready to practice including communication and team strategies used in healthcare settings. The space includes audiovisual technology that records simulation events, which can be immediately replayed or broadcast simultaneously for debriefing in a large classroom setting. In addition, the HITS lab is equipped with two Telehealth carts and Double Robot technology to engage distance students in similar simulated learning opportunities.
For more information on the HITS Lab, or to schedule a tour, please contact the Simulation Director, Susan Hébert at sfanche2@utk.edu or the Simulation Coordinator, Rachael Hodges at rwyatt5@utk.edu.
For technical assistance contact Ricco Summeour, the Simulation Operation Specialist at msummeou@utk.edu
