About Us
The Center for Patient Simulation at the University of Utah offers immersive, high-fidelity training that helps healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry partners refine their skills and advance innovation.
Housed within the Department of Anesthesiology, our center serves the entire university and collaborates with external organizations—including medical device companies and healthcare institutions—to deliver hands-on education, research, and usability testing.
Featuring realistic clinical environments, advanced patient simulators, flexible training spaces, and state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, we create tailored simulation experiences that strengthen teamwork, improve patient safety, and accelerate discovery.
Operating Room: Equipped with surgical lighting, a sink, ventilator, oxygen supply, suction system, and an adjustable operating table, providing a realistic surgical environment for hands-on training and simulations.
Intensive Care Unit: Equipped with a stretcher, ICU ventilator, oxygen supply, and suction system, creating a realistic setting for critical care training and simulations.
Control Room: A dual-station setup enables two simulations to run simultaneously, with a one-way mirror allowing instructors and organizers to observe both rooms in real time. Overhead cameras provide zoom capabilities for a closer view of specific activities or areas, ensuring detailed monitoring and feedback.
Key Milestones in Simulation Excellence
Moved to Building 379 in preparation for the new School of Medicine, expanding simulation capabilities with a state-of-the-art operating room and ICU.
Developed COVID-19 simulation training for anesthesiologists, CRNAs, and technicians, adapting education materials to pandemic needs.
Joined the Theodore H. Stanley Annual Update in Anesthesiology Conference, providing hands-on difficult airway workshops for attendees.
Partnered with U of U Trauma Services to deliver in-situ trauma simulations, integrating anesthesiologists, surgeons, nurses, and EMTs.
Added a North Wing with an ICU simulation area and launched a Central Line Placement Course for anesthesia, surgery, and trauma residents.
Became one of the first American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA)-endorsed MOCA simulation centers in the western U.S., offering Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesia (MOCA) courses.
Began conducting usability studies for medical device companies, establishing partnerships with major manufacturers.
Relocated to a new space on the 3rd floor of the School of Medicine, featuring a simulated operating room and debriefing room near the hospital ORs.
Founded in the basement of the U of U School of Medicine, the center began training medical students and anesthesia residents using high-fidelity simulation.
