MORGANTOWN -- A new training center at West Virginia University Hospitals will give health care students experience treating patients, without the risk of injuring them. The patients are mannequins programmed to mimic life-threatening conditions.

The Simulation Training in Education and Patient Safety Center, or STEPS, opened Friday. The 4,000 square foot center has four labs, that replicate emergency rooms, intensive care units, and operating rooms, and two classrooms and two debriefing rooms. All simulation scenarios are recorded for playback.

The mannequins respond to their treatment just as real patients would respond.

"The skin isn't exactly life-like, and the venous flow isn't exactly lifelike," said Gail VanVoorhis, a STEPS trainer from the nursing department. "But they know how to use the equipment, and they know what to say to the patient because we teach communication. And they'll know who to ask when they need help, because we have a teamwork approach."

Medical, dental, nursing, and other health care students will work together in the new lab. Professionals at WVU Hospitals can also use the center for continuing training in clinical skills.

A second phase will add 8,000 square feet of teaching space to the center.