FORT IRWIN, Calif. –
Recently, staff at Weed Army Community Hospital were introduced to one of the most advanced and realistic medical training tools available: the Cut Suit. This state-of-the-art device simulates real-world medical trauma scenarios. The incredibly lifelike equipment provides a unique opportunity for hands-on training that bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience.
The Cut Suit is not just a training dummy. It is a wearable suit worn by a real human, capable of simulating complex abdominal and thoracic injuries. The design is so meticulous that participants often put aside their skepticism and fully participate in the scenario as if they were operating on a real patient. The suit includes an Advanced Abdominal and Thoracic Surgical Skills (ASSP) package that allows surgeons and trainees to practice a wide range of operations. These scenarios are specifically designed to help surgeons teach and refine their surgical skills. In each scenario, bleeding and reactions to drugs occur in a realistic way, giving users an even higher level of realism compared to cadavers.
Captain Andrea Ducharme, the Operating Room Chief at Weed Army Community Hospital, highlighted the impact of this innovative training tool on her team. “The Cut Suit will enable the surgeons to teach the surgical technicians on specific procedures they may be unfamiliar with or haven’t done frequently enough (or recently). In addition, they may not get exposed to certain surgeries except in an emergency, so this would be an ideal way to learn. This serves to enhance the capabilities, surgical skills, and confidence of the surgical techs as well as develop their understanding of what is expected of them in collaboration with the surgeons in a way that is as realistic as possible.”
This hands-on training approach is especially valuable in military hospitals, where surgical technicians and other medical professionals don't regularly see the full range of trauma cases they would in a civilian hospital. Being able to simulate these high-stakes scenarios in a controlled environment allows them to develop critical skills without the pressure of a real emergency.
Captain Noah Clark, the Emergency Room Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, also expressed enthusiasm for the Cut Suit’s potential to enhance emergency care training. “The Cut Suit demo is one of the most innovative and realistic methods of increasing our emergency department's adaptability through stress inoculation. It does it in a way that didn’t compromise the integrity of the mindset needed to critically think through massive trauma patient care. I’ve not worked with a single training mannequin in my 15 years (in Army medicine) that had the depth and well-roundedness of the procedures we were able to perform. Certainly not with a live person directly underneath those interventions.”
One of the main benefits of the Cut Suit is the ability to pause and resume the scenario. It allows for timeouts for instruction, debriefings, and deeper learning that would not be possible in the hectic environment of a real operating room. Therefore, giving the surgical team to focus on mastering specific techniques and understand the nuances of trauma care before facing a real-life situation.
Major Mario Medina, the Chief of Hospital Education and Training, emphasized the critical role the Cut Suit will play in enhancing the hospital's readiness. "Medical simulation systems such as the Cut Suit, Advanced Surgical Skills Packages, and Hyper-Realistic open surgery simulators are the training aids this hospital needs. The ability to train and prepare our providers in our emergency department and operating room for low incidence, high risk emergencies is a game-changer.”
As the hospital plans to integrate the Cut Suit into its training programs, both current and future medical personnel will benefit. Through this investment, the hospital ensures that its staff not only prepare for the unique challenges of military medicine but are equipped to provide the highest standard of care in any situation.