In addition to the simulation spaces,
control rooms, and AV equipment
rooms, simulation centers typically
include classrooms, annotation
stations, debrief locations, manikin
preparation and storage rooms.
October/November/December 2020 I 71
It is important to ensure the debrief spaces have sufficient
technology, including high quality video and audio
capabilities, lighting, acoustical management, and video
conferencing capabilities so personnel who are unable
to be in the room can participate in the debrief.
Space is required for manikin preparation and storage.
This space typically needs network connectivity so that
the manikins can be updated. Often sufficient counter
space is installed to provide outlets located above
the counter.
THE INTERSECTION OF HEALTHCARE
SIMULATION AND ICT
When designing structured cabling for a simulation space,
consider that wireless access points and security cameras
are commonly installed using power over Ethernet (PoE).
This impacts horizontal cable selection. Category 6A balanced
twisted-pair cabling is typically recommended. The
last worry someone should have when operating a simulation
space or whose performance is being assessed
is whether the network will be unreliable. Therefore,
it is important that the cabling is suited to the demands
that will be placed on it.
Since simulation technology is rapidly advancing,
it is worth considering not only futureproofing the
cabling but also the pathways for the station cabling.
Today what is served even by a Cat 6A cable may require
optical fiber in a future upgrade. If high
performing cable is used initially, cable
replacement may be delayed. If pathways
are designed with future cabling needs
in mind, those modifications become
much simpler.
Many simulation rooms emulate
an active medical space; therefore,
it is recommended to follow ANSI/
BICSI 004, Information Communication
Technology Systems Design and Implementation
Best Practices for Healthcare Institutions
and Facilities, Chapter 19 of
BICSI’s Telecommunications Distribution
Methods Manual (TDMM), 14th Edition
and other industry standards, such
as ANSI/TIA-1179-A, “Healthcare
Facility Telecommunications Infrastructure” standard
on healthcare facility cabling.
In addition to the cabling drops for the medical systems,
cabling is required for the simulation capture system.
Ideally, all of the field simulation hardware should
cable to the same room where the backend simulation
hardware lives, keeping the majority of data traffic local.
While some connections to the healthcare simulation system
are made with Category cables, like those for IP cameras,
other connections, such as for speakers and microphones,
are commonly installed using AV cabling. Consider
sharing pathways. A single tray with a barrier or
a two-level tray can be advantageous. Sizing shared pathways
is more complex due to different cable types and
sizes so proceed with care (Figure 9).
FIGURE 9: Two-tier basket tray awaiting cable installation.