Research & Innovation
The Center for Patient Simulation is at the forefront of research in medical education, patient monitoring, and medical device development. Supported by organizations such as the NIH, NASA, the US Army, and the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation, our work has contributed to groundbreaking advancements in healthcare technology and training.
From our Medical Device Lab, where we develop and test cutting-edge technology, to Vitals Bridge, a device that integrates real patient monitors into simulation training, our center drives innovation in clinical education. Our Safe Sedation program enhances patient safety through interactive training, while our faculty and researchers contribute to a growing body of knowledge through peer-reviewed publications.
Anesthesiology Bioengineering Laboratory
Founded in 1976 by Dwayne Westenskow, the Anesthesiology Bioengineering Laboratory at the University of Utah develops and tests medical devices to improve patient safety in acute and critical care. The lab collaborates with bioengineers, designers, medical providers, and researchers to create and refine innovative healthcare technologies.
With simulation, animal testing, and clinical study facilities, the lab conducts research, designs prototypes, and performs rigorous usability testing. It has also trained numerous graduate students in biomedical engineering and medical informatics. Research from the lab has led to commercialized technologies now used in healthcare settings worldwide.
Vitals Bridge: Elevating Medical Simulation
Traditional medical simulations use computer screens to display vital signs, but these lack the authenticity of real patient monitors—which range from basic nursing station displays to complex ICU monitors requiring specialized training. Clinicians in traditional simulation labs often miss the opportunity to practice using these monitors before working with real patients.
VitalsBridge solves this gap by seamlessly connecting simulated patients—whether low- or high-fidelity manikins or standardized patients—to actual clinical monitors from leading manufacturers like Philips, GE, Medtronic, Spacelabs, Zoll, and more. By integrating real equipment into simulations, VitalsBridge ensures clinicians train on the very monitors they will use in patient care, enhancing readiness and confidence in real-world settings.
Safe Sedation Training (SST)®: A Comprehensive Approach to Moderate Sedation
SST is a standardized, evidence-based course designed to ensure safe and effective moderate sedation practices. It provides knowledge-based support and hands-on techniques to enhance patient safety while adhering to clinical practice guidelines.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Identifying high-risk patients
- Differentiating moderate sedation from deep sedation
- Assessing responsiveness, airway adequacy, ventilation, oxygenation, and circulation
- Effective patient monitoring, including capnography
- Rescuing patients from deeper-than-intended sedation
- Safe titration of sedatives and analgesics based on pharmacology
- Proper patient recovery following sedation
SST ensures clinicians across disciplines develop the essential skills needed for safe, effective moderate sedation management.
Publications
International Anesthesiology Clinics. Vol 63, Issue 3 (Summer 2024), Pages 55-63
Author: Candace Chang, MD, MPH; Michelle Curtis, MD; Ken Johnson, MD, MS; Elizabeth Thackeray, MD, MPH
Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology. Vol 36, Issue 4 (Aug 2023), Pages 422-427
Authors: Ken Johnson MD, MS; Beca Chacin
Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing. Vol 35, Issue 3 (May 2021), Pages 547-556
Authors: Talmage Egan, MD; Ken Johnson, MD, MS; Nathan Pace, MD, MStat; Noah Syroid, MS; et al
PLoS One. Vol 13, Issue 5 (May 2018), e0197157
Authors: Lara Brewer, PhD, MS; Noah Syroid, MS; et al
Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing. Vol 30, Issue 2 (April 2016), Pages 169-173
Authors: Dwayne Westenskow, PhD; et al
Anesthesia & Analgesia. Vol 116, Issue 5 (April 2013), Pages 1183-1184
Authors: Ken Johnson, MD, MS; et al
Anesthesia & Analgesia. Vol 115, Issue 5 (November 2012), Pages 1087-1097
Authors: Talmage Egan, MD; Ken Johnson, MD, MS; Nathan Pace, MD, MStat; Daniel Pulsipher, MD; Noah Syroid, MS; Dwayne Westenkow, PhD; et al
Anesthesiology. Vol 108, Issue 5 (May 2008), Pages 831-840
Authors: Ken Johnson, MD, MS; Lazarre Ogden, MD; Nathan Pace, MD, MStat; Noah Syroid, MS; Dwayne Westenkow, PhD; et al
Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Vol 49, Issue 3 (June 2007), Pages 543-5551
Authors: Noah Syroid, MS; Dwayne Westenskow, PhD; et al
Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. Vol 13, Issue 6 (November 2006), Pages 635-642
Authors: Ken Johnson, MD, MS; Noah Syroid, MS; Dwayne Westenskow, PhD; et al
DOI: 10.1197/jamia.M2123
Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Vol 48, Issue 1 (Spring 2006), Pages 85-94
Authors: Noah Syroid, MS; Dwayne Westenskow, PhD; et al
Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association. Vol 10, Issue 4 (July 2003), Pages 363-372
Authors: Noah Syroid, FMs; Dwayne Westenskow, PhD; et al
DOI: 10.1197/jamia.M1207
14th IEEE Visualization 2003 Conference. October 2003. Seattle, WA, USA
Authors: Noah Syroid, MS; et al
Anesthesia & Analgesia. Vol 97, Issue 5 (November 2003), Pages 1403-1413
Authors: Noah Syroid, MS; Dwayne Westneskow, PhD; et al
Anesthesiology. Vol 96, Issue 3 (March 2002), Pages 565-575
Authors: Noah Syroid, MS; Dwayne Westenskow, PhD; et al
Critical Care 6, 439 (July 2002), Pages 439-446.
Authors: Ken Johnson, MD, MS; Lazarre Ogden, MD; Dwayne Westenskow, PhD; et al
DOI: 10.1186/cc1538
Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing. Vol 16, (May 2000), Pages 273-285
Authors: Talmage Egan, MD; Dwayne Westenskow, PhD; et al
The Journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Vol 77, Issue 6 (December 1992), Pages 1074-1079
Authors: Joseph Orr, PhD; Dwayne Westenskow, PhD; et al
