Surg Tech program purchases new virtual simulation equipment

December 14, 2021

ASHLAND, Ky. – The next cohort of Surgical Technology students at Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) will receive a leg-up in their training experience thanks to the purchase of a LAPSIM® ST, a virtual reality training simulator exclusively developed to train surgical technologists.

LAPSIM® ST is a virtual reality training system that prepares students for the operating room.

According to the program’s website, key training elements include: realistic laparoscopic view and environment, mastery of counter-intuitive camera & instrument movements and development of working space awareness, instant objective performance feedback, ability to safely train away from the patient to gain confidence before going into the operating room, among other essentials.

The simulator was purchased using funds from the Carl Perkins grant.  This grant supports technical education including the purchasing of classroom and lab equipment that is innovative providing students the ability to learn their craft using state-of-the-art equipment.  

The total cost was $56,000, which included the cost of the machine and the service agreement (four years of maintenance and software).  

“This training system will give our students a leg up in their education,” said Heather Cantrell, Surgical Technology program coordinator. “This simulator, along with all the upgrades we’ve made to our lab, will enhance our students’ education and experience. This will help shape them to be the best surgical technologists to provide the highest standard of patient care.”

Surgical technologists working in the operating room are responsible for ensuring patient’s safety. The surgical technologist possesses and applies their expertise in aseptic technique, knowledge of human anatomy, surgical procedures, surgical instrumentation, tools and technologies to facilitate the physician’s performance of invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

To learn more about ACTC’s Surgical Technology program, visit https://ashland.kctcs.edu/education-training/program-finder/surgical-technology.aspx