What Is the Anesthesia Laboratory? / What Is Its Purpose?
Üsküdar University’s Anesthesia Laboratory is a modern simulation center established to enable Anesthesia Program students to develop their preclinical practical skills in a safe and controlled environment before entering the operating room.
- Main Purpose: To enable students to experience the anesthesia procedures, equipment management, patient monitoring processes, and emergency intervention protocols they will encounter in the operating room through realistic scenarios.
- Academic Contribution: The laboratory combines theoretical knowledge of anesthesiology, pharmacology, and resuscitation (revival) with hands-on applications. By improving students’ practical skills, it provides an academic foundation for them to work according to the principle of “zero error” during hospital internships and in their professional careers.
Devices and Technical Equipment Available in the Laboratory
The laboratory infrastructure contains the critical components of anesthesia and patient monitoring equipment found in a modern operating room. Within the framework of its Highlighted Features, the technical equipment available in the laboratory is listed below:
- Anesthesia Machines and Ventilator Systems: Basic operating units that control the oxygen, medical gases, and anesthetic agents administered to the patient and allow artificial ventilation parameters to be adjusted.
- Advanced Airway and Intubation Manikins: Anatomical models used to practice normal and difficult airway management, endotracheal intubation (placement of a tube into the windpipe), and laryngoscope use techniques.
- Patient Monitors (Simulated): Monitoring screens that enable the patient’s vital functions (ECG, pulse, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and respiratory rate) to be monitored and interpreted in real time.
- Resuscitation and First Aid Equipment: Training materials designed for interventions in sudden cardiac and respiratory arrest that may occur in the operating room or intensive care unit, including bag-valve-mask (AMBU) sets, airways, and materials for emergency medication administration.
- Intravenous (IV) Access and Injection Manikins: Simulated arm models used to develop skills in establishing proper intravenous access and administering anesthesia induction (initiation) medications and fluid therapy.
Research Areas and Areas of Application
The practical courses and scenario-based studies conducted within the laboratory cover all operational stages of anesthesia technician practice:
- Preoperative Preparation: Performing leak tests on the anesthesia machine, setting up circuits, and preparing appropriate anesthetic medications and consumables according to the type of surgery.
- Intraoperative Anesthesia Management: Induction of anesthesia, ensuring airway security, and monitoring the depth of anesthesia and vital signs throughout the operation.
- Postoperative Recovery and Monitoring: Simulating the safe awakening of the patient after anesthesia is discontinued, extubation (removal of the tube) procedures, and recovery room monitoring.
- Crisis Management and Emergency Intervention: Applying rapid and calm intervention algorithms in emergency situations that may develop during surgery, such as laryngospasm, bronchospasm, or sudden cardiac arrest.
Contributions to Students and the Healthcare Sector
The Anesthesia Laboratory enables students to acquire a high level of operational reflexes before graduation, thereby minimizing their adaptation period to the sector.
- Multidisciplinary Working Infrastructure: Students develop the discipline of working in full coordination with surgeons and anesthesiologists in the operating room, as well as the ability to communicate effectively during crises.
- Sectoral Preparation: Graduates who successfully complete the equipment orientation and practical training steps in this laboratory acquire the practical competence to work directly as Anesthesia Technicians in operating rooms and intensive care units of public hospitals, private hospitals, university hospitals, and IVF centers.
