Health Professions
2002-2004
Description
The Health Professions Computer Center (Room 352A) was expanded during Summer 2002 to increase the existing space and bring the lab into compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Two wall-partitions were removed and the lab was repainted and re-carpeted. Traffic-flow through the lab was redirected to improve the entrance and exit of the lab. Five additional computer stations, desks and chairs were added. However, because of software issues these additional computers were not connected to the network and are used as stand-alone machines. The other 25 workstations were placed in service during the Winter Break of 2000 and the lab is scheduled to be upgraded during the summer of 2003. The lab is staffed by tutors from a pool of students in various Health Professions Programs and is open 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Monday – Thursday, and 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM on Friday.
The podium computer in Room 329B has been upgraded. There are two computers in the Respiratory Therapy Lab (Room 330) to serve as stand-alone machines to accommodate lung simulators. Two additional computers (with printers) are needed to accommodate other lung simulators. There are podium computers in Room 349, Room 355 and Room 352B which are functional and do not require replacement at this time.
DiCom Medical Imaging software has been obtained and installed on the Health Professions clone and is currently used by 3 instructors in the Cardiovascular Technology Program. A MACLab 7000 Digital Physiologic Monitoring system was installed in Room 329B in September 2002 with resources provided through a Health & Human Services Grant.
Some instructors in the Health Professions have older computers and have requested upgrades for their offices.
Curriculum Impact
The use of the Computer Center continues to grow. Faculty from the Health Professions Programs continue to incorporate computer-based instruction into the curriculum. Scheduling the lab for individual instructions is becoming more problematic and was particularly difficult for Fall 2002. Compromises were reached to accommodate these instructors, but it is obvious that demand for the lab is reaching a critical point. Since the entire 300 (North) building is utilized to the maximum and additional computers will be required in the future, the Health Professions has requested purchase and installation of a 30-Bay, wireless, mobile, laptop-based computer system which could be used to increase the number of machines available to teachers and students.
The Nursing Department has added an Evening/Weekend Track, which will further increase demand for the Center. The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program is an evening program and anticipates increased use of the Center during evening hours. Funding for tutors will be required to accommodate this need.
Approximate Number of Students Served
The Center currently serves all of the Health Professions Programs composed of approximately 500 students. Enrollments have increased for the Fall Semester 2002 and, two programs are impacted, Nursing and Cardiovascular Technology. Enrollments are expected to increase to 600 over the next two years as demand for careers in the Health Professions increase.
Support Impact
The Center receives technical support in accordance with available resources. As software has been added to the system over the years, the clone has become unstable and caused problems with access to some of the software. Additional support will obviously be required as enrollments increase and teachers add additional computer-based instruction to the curriculum. A dedicated, on-site support Technician (or possibly a shared resource with Chemistry and/or Physics) has been requested but has not been funded.
Year 1 (2002-2003)
Objective
The objectives for year one (2002-2003) have been met with the exception of upgrading two video monitors used with the SimMan mannequins.
Action to Meet Objective
Purchase and install two, 21-inch video monitors in Room 355A.
Year 2 (2003-2004)
Objective
Expand overall computer and Internet resources available to students in the Health Professions Program using existing space in a maximally utilized 300 North building. Upgrade computers in selected Health Professions faculty offices. Provide 2 additional computers with printers in the Respiratory Therapy Lab (Room 330) to be used with the remaining lung simulators.
Action to Meet Objective
Purchase and install a 30-Bay wireless, mobile computer cart (Gateway Comptuers). Provide technical support as required. Purchase and install 2 computers with printers in the Respiratory Therapy Lab (Room 330). Purchase and install upgraded computers in the following faculty/student support offices. Jerome Passman (300B4), Jerry Buckley (342C), Don Ridgway (350) (MAC User), Lorenda Seibold-Phalan (340C), Becky Handley (342A), Darlene Matthews, RT Secretary (340C).