Edison High School Biomed 4 students put on their thinking caps and created ways to optimize emergency rooms in a presentation for school leaders.

   Students in JoAnn Stagani’s science program were tasked establish plans for improving facilities and presented their ideas on Oct. 23-24. Pupils had previously heard from EHS alumni Kayla Prokopakis-Campbell of Boardman Community Hospital and Allegheny Health Network, Isaac Evans from  Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 495 in Steubenville, and Trevor Coffy, a flight medic for Stat-Medivac 14 in Youngstown, plus they visited Trinity Medical Center where they shadowed in the emergency room and toured the new fast track area.

   “The whole project started with a [scenario] when a patient falls ill and comes to an E.R., then dies in the E.R. while waiting. The students had to come up with a plan for a more efficient E.R. and include a layout, innovation, equipment or software, and staffing,” Stagani said.  “We had four group presentations that was viewed by teachers, counselors, and administrators.”

   Twelve students collaborated in three-person teams and selected a community, such as an inner city or site similar to Richmond where Edison High is located, on which to base their designs. Among their innovations were a pharmacy delivery system to efficiently administer medication and a mister to disinfect the room.

   “The purpose was to come up with a way to make the E.R. more efficient,” Stagani added.

   This is the first year for the Biomed 4 class, which prepares students who plan on entering the healthcare field. Biomed 1 focuses on subjects such as forensics, vital signs and charging; Biomed 2 studies the human body systems, terminology, and developing a physical therapy rehabilitation plan; Biomed 3 focuses on family pedigree (genetics), contact tracing and research; and Biomed 4 centers on scientific research.