AnneMarie DeVoll-Zabrocki, DNP, RN, CPNP-AC/PC, was honored at the iEXCEL Innovation Award ceremony in February.
Dr. DeVoll-Zabrocki, a clinical assistant professor and accelerated BSN program coordinator with the UNMC College of Nursing, received an honorable mention award for developing the Pediatric Heart Models application along with iEXCEL.
Dr. DeVoll-Zabrocki said the application allows UNMC College of Nursing students to see the blood flow in pediatric congenital heart defects. Using 3-D, interactive models, the application demonstrates the blood flow of a normal heart, as well as the blood flow in 12 defects.
The application is available for students at all five UNMC nursing divisions through zSpace. Those who are interested in a link can contact Dr. DeVoll-Zabrocki at anne.devollzaborcki@unmc.edu.
Scott Fletcher, MD, a pediatric cardiologist from Omaha Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, helped develop the models. Dr. Fletcher, his team and the iEXCEL team used existing MRIs to develop models based on real-life defects.
Each model contains a narration of the defect, as well as numbered areas where the defect occurs. Students can drag and rotate the model to see the heart at various angles.
Dr. DeVoll-Zabrocki said the application is an asset because students can see the defect work in real time. Previously, defects were taught from a textbook.
“Basically, in teaching this information to students, they need to know the pathology or the underlying problem before they can understand how to treat the patient,” she said. “These congenital defects are really challenging, so this was my way of helping them understand it in a more visual manner.”