Banner Health Simulation Education program accredited systemwide

CHICAGO (Feb. 29, 2012) – Banner Health’s Simulation Education program has been accredited by the American College of Surgeons – becoming the first program that ACS has accredited across an entire health care system.

There are 62 accredited simulation programs around the world and Banner Health is one of the few that is non-academic and non-university supported.

Banner Health’s simulation centers are the Western Region Simulation Center in Loveland, Banner Simulation Medical Center in Mesa, Ariz., and Banner Good Samaritan SimET Center in Phoenix.

Previously, only the Banner Good Samaritan SimET Center had been accredited by the ACS.

ACS reviewers were particularly impressed by Banner’s emphasis on quality and metrics in education. Banner’s processes for program evaluation and assessment were recognized by the association as a “best practice.’’

The Banner Simulation System at McKee Medical Center gives physicians, nurses and other health care professionals the chance to perfect clinical skills in a safe, but realistic environment – without touching a single patient.

The 3,000-square-foot center at McKee Medical Center has state-of-the-art training bays, multiple mannequins – or patient training simulators – debriefing rooms and a conference room with teleconferencing capabilities. The center also has virtual-reality equipment that doctors can use to test and refine their surgical skills.

ABOUT BANNER HEALTH

Headquartered in Phoenix, Banner Health is one of the country’s largest nonprofit health care systems. Located in seven states, Banner Health owns or manages 23 health care facilities as well as physician practices and nationally recognized research centers. To learn more go to www.BannerHealth.com.