PORTSMOUTH, Virg.  –   PORTSMOUTH, Va. (April 5, 2022) –Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP) Anesthesia Department, in coordination with the Healthcare Simulation and Bioskills Training Center (HSBTC or SIM Center), conducted high-frequency task training, April 5.

Doctors, nurses, residents and student nurses from the Anesthesia Department participated in central line training, a procedure that takes place when a patient needs medicine given through the veins over a long period of time or during kidney dialysis. A small tube is placed in a vein under the shoulder bone and anchored by making a small tunnel under the skin.

“We host these trainings regularly for skills sustainment,” said Lt. Cmdr. Sarah Buckley, a certified registered nurse anesthetist at NMCP. “Our staff is able to come down and go through a high-fidelity set up of a central line, identify the anatomy and go through the mechanics of this procedure. It isn’t something we do on a regular basis, but it’s a critical skill for us to keep up on.”

The SIM Center provided the mannequins, and the operating room staff were able to attend the training throughout the day so that it did not interfere with normal operations. Buckley and Capt. Jason Longwell, NMCP’s Anesthesiology Department chief of service led this hands on, one-on-one training with each staff member.

“We established this program in coordination with the SIM Center to remain proficient and practice these skillsets once each quarter, rather than once a year or every two years just to meet requirements,” said Longwell. “The team is doing a great job of ensuring that our folks remain ready. Ready to deploy and ready to do our jobs effectively.”

As the U.S. Navy's oldest, continuously-operating military hospital since 1830, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth proudly serves past and present military members and their families. The nationally-acclaimed, state-of-the-art medical center, along with the area's 10 branch health and TRICARE Prime Clinics, provide care for the Hampton Roads area. The medical center also supports premier research and teaching programs designed to prepare new doctors, nurses and hospital corpsman for future roles in healing and wellness.