FUNDED PROGRAMS AWARDED 2000/2001

Project Title:Workforce Deveopment Instrcutional Equipment for Health Occupations
Project Director:Patricia E. Green
Organization: Victor Valley College
Phone: (760)245-4271,ext.2412

In fall 1997 we disseminated a survey to the nursing affiliated health care agencies and the members of the Nursing Advisory Committee to collect data about competencies essential for an entry-level nurse. The survey indicated that intravenous therapy (I.V.) skills needed to be strengthened. The Allied Health Department agreed these skills were also needed by paramedics and EMT staff as nearly every emergency 911 call involving the need to transport a patient by ambulance called for an I.V. The solution is CathSim, a computer-based system that employs an interactive method of teaching. The objectives include the following:

1) Eighty-five percent (85%) of the Victor Valley College Allied Health and Nursing full and part-time faculty will complete the staff development training of the CathSim IV Training System.

2) Twenty-one full- and part-time Allied Health and Nursing faculty will teach students to use the system and 100% of the Nursing students (140 to 160) will successfully complete IV certification.

3) One-hundred percent (100%) of the 20 paramedic, 20 EMT, and Phlebotomy students will complete the six scenarios of the CathSim Intravenous Training System.

4) 100 % of Paramedic, EMT, and Phlebotomy students will achieve I.V. competency after using the CathSim System.

CathSim will provide the safe hands-on simulation practice our students need to gain I.V. certification. We anticipate that I.V. certification would facilitate greater job placement for our graduates both locally and the greater San Bernardino County where many of our populations work.