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Time: 11:12:21
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SimMan 3G: First Impressions
Andrew Mallett lectures in Nursing at the first university in Australia to have an operational SimMan 3G. The mannequin is used for teaching nursing and medical students and other health care professionals. Andy talks about the implications for the adoption of such new technology.
Q. So the first in Australia to have a SimMan 3G? How did this come about?
A. The university has a new clinical education centre which includes an immersive simulation unit for high fidelity training. We've been using other mannequins such as Resusci-Anne and the original SimMan for some time now. We have a good relationship with the manufacturers, Laerdal and were one of the first Australian institutions on the list for the new 3G model.
Q. And how does he compare to the original Sim?
A. Well he has a number of significant features over the previous model. He has two tanks for water and fake blood, to emulate fluid loss, such as exsanguination (bleeding) from certain parts of his torso and diaphoresis (sweating) from the forehead, as well as tears, frothing and urinary output. As nurses we get pretty excited about body fluids. He has two internal air compressors in his leg for functions such as breathing, whereas the previous SimMan had to use medical air or a bulky external compressor. Together with wireless control, this means he is totally portable which means we can also move him and take him out and about for training. He can even recognise and react to over 100 prescription medications.
Q. Does 3G require a lot of technical know-how to operate?
A. He certainly does! Even more than the original SimMan. Fortunately we have an excellent team to deal with him. Other simulation staff have backgrounds in Nursing, operating theatres and paramedical science and my own background is in Nursing and I am also a Computer Networks Engineer. So between us we've hopefully got the angles covered. It's an unusual combination of skills. Simulation centres themselves are a comparatively recent modality for the training of health care personnel.
Q. You talk about him as a male. What about female Sims?
A. Yes of course it's important to have both options. SimMan comes in a default male form but his physiology can be modified with interchangeable genitals and other body parts. We have lost of fun with wigs. As an example, he can be catheterised as a male or a female and if the procedure is carried out properly, s/he will produce urinary output.
Q. So he's just arrived in Australia. How new is he?
A. He was released in the United States first but he really hasn't been around all that long. The uni has number #100 in the world and the company tells me the first 90 were still relatively experimental. So we've got the 10th 'production model' in the world. We are working closely with Laerdal to iron out some of the inevitable rollout issues involved with such a new technology.
Q. And what are the implications for the future of simulation training?
A. Well the future is looking very bright! 3G brings technical features which will stay current for the next decade or so. Of course it's not just about technology, in fact the mannequins are only a part of it. Immersive simulation is literally about immersing learners, be they at undergraduate or post-graduate level, in an environment which closely matches the world of actual clinical practice. Scenarios have to be carefully planned and the environment must be believable. We have put a lot of effort into an audio-visual infrastructure which allows participants to see themselves and their colleagues 'in action'. Sessions are monitored live and also recorded for debrief sessions. We can even 'stop time' in the middle of a scenario for a brief 'pause-and-discuss'. The whole thing is extremely powerful and participants come away with very positive experiences.
Article posted 16.07.2009
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Comments
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Rob Rawlings
16 Jul 2009, 23:47
Does Simman3g recognise drugs? i know the old sim man was unable to do
this.
Mike Bridge
01 Aug 2009, 07:57
Do you have for sale Resusci Anne Manikin, if so in what condition, type,
all costs and any other details.
Regards
Mike
Andy
03 Aug 2009, 23:33
Hi Mike,
None for sale. Ours get used constantly but are still in good condition.
Geraldine
17 Aug 2009, 18:37
What a significant innovation in teaching techniques. Such an improvement
on the old "dummies".
How long before a fully interactive model would be available? One that has
verbal responses and reactions ect?
Geraldine
17 Aug 2009, 18:38
What a significant innovation in teaching techniques. Such an improvement
on the old "dummies".
How long before a fully interactive model would be available? One that has
verbal responses and reactions ect?
S. King
15 Sep 2009, 23:57
We are hoping to get one of these for our own simulation centre in Southern
California. Looks like you guys are out there and ahead of most places.
Andy
29 Sep 2009, 23:41
He does recognise a range of prescription drugs through RFC sensors in his
chin and his arm. However it is necessary to manually set a trend in order
to achieve an appropriate reaction to the drug.
K.Fullman
20 Oct 2009, 21:05
I think this is definitely the future of training. The new 3g is starting
to take off in the States too.
Jonothan Miller
28 Jan 2010, 11:54
Can you recommend which mannequins and other equipment to use when setting
up a simulation centre? We're looking into this at my home university's
school of nursing. Thanks.
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