STAR Center at AHN

The Simulation, Teaching, and Academic Research (STAR) Center at Allegheny Health Network (AHN) offers unique learning experiences for students, practitioners, and members of the allied health community.

We offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced training with state-of-the art equipment at our simulated hospital and outpatient clinic and through our mobile outreach program.

Mission and vision

Mission

The mission of the STAR Center is to provide an interdisciplinary simulation center where students and practitioners from all departments and members of allied health communities perfect their clinical skills both individually and collectively through simulation activites driven by the strategic needs of the Allegheny Health Network. The ultimate mission of STAR is to increase the quality of care that is delivered to AHN patients and to improve their outcomes, achieved by sharpening providers' technical and nontechnical skills through dynamic simulation courses.

Vision

The vision of the STAR Center is to be the main facility for clinical education across Allegheny Health Network and throughout the Pittsburgh area. Our vision is to provide lifelong simulation education of the highest quality, grounded in the latest research and innovation, featuring the most advanced technology to every learner, every time.

Enhance your skills

Led by Medical Director Donald Wilfong, Jr. MD, highly experienced and dynamic STAR team members and course facilitators follow best practices in simulation to teach vital skills in health care. Participants can practice and perfect their procedural skills on our high/low fidelity mannequins and full/partial body task trainers. You can practice communication techniques on real people. We also offer courses related to communication, including interviewing and teamwork.

Infusion certification

For licensed practical nurses, the STAR Center provides infusion certification through its accreditation by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. We offer certification courses at our training center on the West Penn Hospital campus. By taking a STAR course, you may also earn continuing education credits. For more information and to register, email Simulation@ahn.org or call (412) 578-4418.

International accreditation

Society for Simulation in Healthcare

The STAR Center is fully accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare for achieving excellence in these areas:

• Core Standards
  
• Assessment / Measurement
  
• Research
• System Integration
  
• Teaching / Education
  

Healthcare Simulationist Code of Ethics

The Healthcare Simulationist Code of Ethics was create for individuals and organizations engaged in healthcare simulation. The goal of the code of ethics is to guide us toward safe practice that will improve the quality of healthcare. It serves to strengthen and promote ethical culture among all those who practice simulationist based education. Through the code of ethics, Healthcare simulations are challenged to maintain the highest level of integrity, promote transparency in communication, and show mutual respect to all while maintaining a high level of professionalism and self-accountability.