Keri Poate, Fresno State nursing major and swim team member, tries out the new robotic system as Katie Dill, director of medical surgical services at Kaiser Permanente watches.

Kaiser gift buys Nursing new intravenous system

by Mary Lisa Russell

Fresno State nursing students will learn not to be apprehensive about drawing blood from patients, thanks to new state-of-the-art equipment donated to the Nursing Laboratory.

The $10,000 donation from Kaiser Permanente purchased the CathSim Intravenous Training System, the first computer-based system to allow realistic practice of intravascular therapies.

"The CathSim ITS utilizes a robotic system developed by HT Medical Systems Inc., called AccuTouch," said Dr. Mariamma Mathai, chair, Department of Nursing. "This system allows students to mimic the feel of the procedure and gives them a more accurate and comprehensive preparation prior to actual patient contact."

Kaiser made the gift in support of the Nursing Education Enhancement Partnership (NEEP). Dean Ben Cuellar, School of Health and Human Services, and the Nursing Leadership Council established the partnership to improve collaboration and communication between nursing education programs and health care agencies. More than a dozen agencies have supported NEEP.

Katie Dill, R.N., B.S.N., director of medical surgical services at Kaiser, said that innovative technology helps nursing students when they start working in a clinical setting. She added that Kaiser Permanente recruits nurses from Fresno State and encourages training on state-of-the-art equipment such as the CathSims ITS.

"When we hire nurses, we want to recruit those with the best educational experiences," said Dill. "This new system gives students that advantage."

Mathai said that the new system will be installed in the Nursing Lab this month for second semester students to utilize.