Fr Muller hosts 1st Int’l Conference on Health-Care Simulation in India
Mangaluru: Fr Muller Simulation and Skills Centre at Fr Muller Hospital, Mangaluru with a – VISION to be a world class leader in simulation based clinical education and research by using innovative methodologies to improve the quality of healthcare and by reinforcing the highest level of performance among the caregivers within a safe, supervised and dynamic learning environment; and a MISSION to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes by integrating simulation based teaching methodologies into the educational curriculum, by enhancing the quality of healthcare through clinical competence and interdisciplinary teamwork and also by contributing to the global field of simulation based research hosted the FIRST International Conference on Health-Care Simulation in India, scheduled for 3 and 4 December.
The centre is the first medical college in Mangaluru to be accredited by the American Heart Association as an authorized training centre for CPR & ECC courses. The first international conference on healthcare simulation in India- HPSN INDIA 2016 by CAE Healthcare in association with Macula Healthcare on 3rd and 4th December 2016 co hosted by Father Muller simulation and skills centre – father Muller charitable institutions and Advanced Comprehensive Clinical Training and Sim centre – Yenepoya University.
The programme was organized in association with CAE Health-Care and Macula Health-Care. The Father Muller Simulation and Skills Centre (FMSSC), a unit of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, is a state of the art, multi-professional training facility equipped with the most advanced medical simulators and skills trainers.
It was established in November 2015 as the first functioning advanced simulation centre in the country. FMSSC is committed to inculcate evidence based simulation competence into the health care curriculum. The FMSSC uses computerized human patient mannequins (simulators) that can mimic medical conditions for the purpose of training first responders and health care professionals through the enactment of emergency and clinical scenarios.
Medical simulation has a long history, but the rapid technological advances of the last decade have brought a remarkable realism to the science of simulation. So-called “high-fidelity” human patient simulators can be programmed through wireless operation to exhibit the signs and symptoms of virtually any medical condition with real-time progression and response rates. Human patient simulators possess life-like features including pulse, blood pressure, temperature, respiration rate, heart and lung sounds, blood and urine return, glucose tolerance, the ability to sweat, salivate, froth and cry, as well as speak, respond and describe symptoms. The center operates in facilities designed as hospital settings and the Students come to simulation sessions as if they are on duty and have the opportunity to use a full range of medical devices, supplies and furnishings.
The center uses human patient simulators manufactured by CAE Healthcare which was setup by Macula Healthcare which include High Fidelity Patient Simulators-Metiman,Maternal Fetal Simulator (Lucina),Pediasim, HPS Adult,Babysim Interventional Simulator LAP VR,Ultrasound Simulators-Vimedix,Blue Phantoms, Nursing Care Simulator,Eye Examination Simulator,Ear Examination Simulator,An array of skill trainers including CPR training manikins. The patient simulators also are used in other locations, especially for scenarios involving multiple disciplines. Paramedic and nursing students, for example, practice transfer of care, where most medical information errors occur. The centre, one of its kind in India has been providing healthcare training to the non health care community, clinical undergraduates, postgraduates and qualified professionals from the fields of medicine, nursing and other allied sciences.
The programme began with invoking God’s blessings, followed by welcome address by Dr Jayaprakash Alva-the Dean of Fr Muller Medical College. Gary Eves- Director of Asia Pacific, CAE Health-Care briefing about HPSN said ” Founded in 1997, the Human Patient Simulation Network (HPSN) has grown from a small community of pioneering nursing and health science educators into a robust and global network of medical faculty, clinicians, students, and technical experts who gather throughout the year to interact, share knowledge, and explore the latest innovations in simulation-based medical education (SBME). The events are open to anyone with an interest in healthcare simulation. The HPSN mission is simple: To bring the international simulation community together, offering collaborative workshops, hands-on learning opportunities, resources and technologically advanced SBME solutions that enhance patient safety and improve outcomes “.
The programme was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by chief guest- Dr S Sacchidanand- Director of Medical Education, Govt. of Karnataka, along with other dignitaries on the dais namely- Ms Amanda Wilford- Clinical education Manager-CAE Health-Care, Gary Eves, Prof. Robert O’Brien- guest of honor, Rev Fr Patrick Rodrigues- Director, Fr Muller Charitable Institutions, Dr Balaji Pai- Guest of honor, Dr M Vijaykumar- Vice Chancellor, Yenepoya University, and Dr Jayaprakash Alva-Dean, FMMC
Chief guest Dr S Sacchidanand addressing the gathering said, “Simulation education is a bridge between classroom learning and real-life clinical experience. Novices – and patients – may learn how to do injections by practicing on an orange with a real needle and syringe. Much more complex simulation exercises – similar to aviation curricula that provided the basis for healthcare – may rely on computerized mannequins that perform dozens of human functions realistically in a healthcare setting such as an operating room or critical care unit that is indistinguishable from the real thing. Whether training in a “full mission environment” or working with a desk top virtual reality machine that copies the features of a risky procedure, training simulations do not put actual patients at risk. Healthcare workers are subject to unique risks in real settings too, from such things as infected needles, knife blades and other sharps as well as electrical equipment, and they are also protected during simulations that allow them to perfect their craft.”
Prof. Robert O’Brien -Chairman, Australian Sociey for Simulation in Heath-care said, “Simulation-based assessment refers to both “low stakes” learning for improvement, and “high stakes” testing to determine competency. Multiple choice tests and oral exams have been traditional methods to assess knowledge and ability for generations. Common sense dictates, however, that once technology advances to the point that real tasks can be accurately simulated, truly demonstrating competence becomes an indispensable part of effective evaluation. Directions in credentialing indicate that it will eventually be more meaningful to actually demonstrate competency than to provide a surrogate for competency – namely, a certain number”
Dr Balaji Pai- special Officer Trauma Care Centre, Bangalore said, “The goals of simulation-based research differ from training and evaluation. Researchers may be trying to understand why a particular event happened, and so simulate the event with the same and/or other clinicians. Just as with an airplane engine or wing in a wind tunnel, medical devices may be tested under a range of simulated conditions before the final device is marketed and used on actual patients. New procedures for giving dangerous drugs or using advanced resuscitation methods may be studied under simulated conditions. Entire populations, tests, and costs may be represented by patterns of data in a computer and multiple simulations run to find optimal solutions for attaining the best health of a community “.
Dr Vijayakumar said, ” Different types of simulations – live, virtual reality, and computer-based – may be combined to attack a question from different angles. The ultimate goal of increasing knowledge and understanding to improve training, evaluation, and design of systems is the same. Necessary research may also address two fundamental areas of need. One may ask, “Is the tool of simulation valid?”. A second question to be answered by necessary research is, “Is the tool of simulation useful?”. Answers to these fundamental questions will continue to be increasingly addressed within the research arena. Simulation-based processes may include quality assessment mechanisms, thereby facilitating patient safety. Simulation may also raise the bar for objectivity and hence fairness in evaluation, substituting visible, accepted metrics for performance for anecdotes and opinions. Simulation-based approaches can be effectively used to help evaluate organizational processes as well as individuals and team performance.
Also speaking during the occasion, Rev Fr Patrick Rodrigues in his presidential address said, ” Healthcare simulation is coming of age, and has begun to share much with established methods in aviation, spaceflight, nuclear power, shipping and the military. The rapid advance of computer science, bio-engineering, and design has met demands from all stakeholders for safer, more effective and efficient ethical healthcare. When the stakes are high and real settings do not lend themselves to artificial handling for other purposes, simulation methods will find applications. Simulation offers scheduled, valuable learning experiences that are difficult to obtain in real life. Learners address hands-on and thinking skills, including knowledge-in-action, procedures, decision-making, and effective communication. At Fr Muller we are proud to say that the simulation centre at our hospital is doing extremely good with dedicated, committed staff who are ready to make a difference and create history”.
Ms Amanda Wilford proposed the vote of thanks, and the entire programme was professionally compered by Dr Nicole Pereira- Pre and Para-clinical coordinator, Dept. of Skills and Simulation, FMMC. The Valedictory function of this event will be held at Yenepoya University tomorrow, 4 December.
In conclusion, The freedom to make mistakes and to learn from them: Working in a simulated environment allows learners to make mistakes without the need for intervention by experts to stop patient harm. By seeing the outcome of their mistakes, learners gain powerful insight into the consequences of their actions and the need to “get it right”. Simulation can accommodate a range of learners from novices to experts. Beginners can gain confidence and “muscle memory” for tasks that then allow them to focus on the more demanding parts of care. Experts can better master the continuously growing array of new technologies from minimally invasive surgery and catheter-based therapies to robotics without putting the first groups of patients at undue risk. Some complex procedures and rare diseases simply do not present enough opportunities for practice, even to established clinicians.