Services & Facilities

ICAPSS delivers training and assessment activities across multiple sites on University of Galway’s campus and in-situ training for the HSE West and North-West Health Region’s sites. Key facilities include: a comprehensive simulation laboratory on the second floor of the CSI building (Clinical Simulation and Interprofessional Education Facility) which includes a simulated operating theatre, 2 simulated ward rooms, 3 simulated participant encounter rooms, a wet lab with capabilities to deliver skills using biological tissue, and flexible clinicals skills and debrief spaces. Classrooms are also located within the Anatomy Building on the main University of Galway Campus. 

Simulation Equipment and Modalities

The delivery of simulation-based education and training across clinical disciplines requires the use of a wide variety of simulation equipment and modalities. Available equipment includes both full-body manikins (adult, paediatric, maternity; in a range of skin tones) and task trainers (for a large variety of skills, including ultrasound compatible simulators). Further, our Simulation Technicians have substantial expertise in the application of moulage and the development of novel, adaptation of existing simulators in order to address differing learning needs.

Our team has expertise in the use of other simulation modalities, primarily VEMS, virtual reality and simulated/standardised patients, to support effective learning experiences for health profession students and health professionals. 

The ICAPSS facility offers a variety of surgical and medical programmes which use porcine and bovine tissue to simulate procedural skills for senior learners in skills such as suturing and wound closure, microvascular anastomosis, endoscopy and stoma formation. 

Services Offered by the ICAPSS Team

Our vision at ICAPSS is to transform the delivery of healthcare through evidence based quality improvement and education. We readily support local, national and international collaborators in delivering research, education or other activities that contribute to progress towards achieving our vision. Such collaborations can include, but are not limited to, the following:

• development of simulation scenarios/activities to address specific learning needs
• delivery of simulation-based education in situ or at our facilities
• creation of novel simulators as required to support skills training
• supporting medical device testing
• conducting simulation-based assessments of healthcare facilities
• providing simulation expertise to support the development and success of quality improvement projects, and
• supporting assessment of protocol implementation and revision of protocols as required

Short Courses Offered by the ICAPSS Team

Short courses are offered in debriefing, scenario design, running simulations, selecting and using task trainers, moulage, training SPs for education and assessment, and using simulation beyond education and training.