Venipuncture & Injection Trainer ‘CHAMP’ Helps Advance Veterinary Simulation at Kansas State University
Veterinary learners can now get a “leg up” on learning clinical skills thanks to a new healthcare simulation tool envisioned by a clinical education technician in the College of Veterinary Medicine Kansas State University, Susan Rose. After recognizing a need for more accurate and robust models in the veterinary teaching world, Rose’s latest model has been transformed into a commercial product called, “CHAMP: Canine Venipuncture & Injection Trainer.” This unique canine hind limb model was refined and produced in collaboration with REMEDY Simulation Group, a Pennsylvania-based company that specializes in human/anatomical teaching models.
“[CHAMP provides] an opportunity for many students to learn how to handle needles and syringes properly for the first time,” Rose said. “Additionally, it gives them the opportunity to develop muscle memory and hand skills they need to use traditional syringes and needles, butterfly catheters or vacutainers for obtaining blood samples, or how to insert and secure IV catheters — all without the use of live animals!”
Rose, who sidelines in her spare time as a wildlife/nature painter and artist, began creating models for use in K-State’s veterinary courses years ago. The origins of the CHAMP began in March 2018 with her development of prototype model limbs for practicing venipuncture in the junior surgery lab.
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“No hind limb models were on the market for that, so I went to work to create our own,” Rose said. “I modeled, molded, and then cast limbs that could be used for both lateral (canine) and medical (feline) blood draws and subcutaneous injections.”
In the summer of 2018, Dr. Ryane Englar, former clinical education coordinator at K-State and current director of veterinary skills development at the University of Arizona, assisted Susan in the search for a company that might be interested in partnering to build a model. She and Rose both saw a need for veterinary models that could hold up to heavy use in a classroom setting.
“It’s one thing to create a venipuncture task trainer,” Dr. Englar said. “It’s another for that task trainer to hold up to 110 needle sticks without exsanguination! Model-making is just beginning to take off in the realm of veterinary education — it is still in many ways in its infancy stage — and so there are only a handful of companies that produce these products.”
Rose came across REMEDY Simulation Group and reached out to see if the company would be interested in entering the growing veterinary model market. After a series of meetings, REMEDY purchased the rights to two of Rose’s models — and the development process began. After many more meetings and some production delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the final product was released to the market on October 15, 2021 – in honor of Vet Tech Week.
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Previous Article: Remedy Simulation Group Launches CHAMP Canine Venipuncture & Injection Trainer
Dr. Englar contributed feedback, an instruction booklet, and a name for the model. She and her students at the University of Arizona were able to test pilot the models in their venipuncture laboratory, which held up to over 350 needle sticks without a problem.
Dr. Shane Lyon, clinical associate professor at K-State, also hopes to order the CHAMPs for use in his classes in the future.
“Susan is absolutely amazing,” Dr. Lyon said. “The reality of this project is that she has been working on this for years. Susan brings a lot to the clinical skills course. She has decades of experience as a veterinary technician in multiple roles within the College. Just amazing to watch this happen!”
“Hopefully schools that do not have the ability to create their own models will invest in CHAMP,” Rose added. “These are extremely helpful and valuable tools.”
More About Remedy Simulation Group
Remedy Simulation Group utilizes the best combination of old-school production methods and cutting-edge technology, providing solutions to the medical education community and beyond. Remedy Simulation Group offers an industry-leading line of medical simulation products that were developed in conjunction with the country’s top simulation centers.
Remedy Simulation Group manufactures all products in its Perkasie, Pennsylvania, location and uses materials from United States suppliers only. Remedy Simulation Group also offers custom and contract manufacturing and has partnered with some of the largest pharmaceutical and medical companies. Remedy Simulation Group looks forward to “Improving the Standard of Practice” with all our industry partners.
Learn More About Remedy Simulation Group’s CHAMP Canine Venipuncture & Injection Trainer
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