Simulation Task Force Forms, AARC Gets Involved

May 5, 2009

A Simulation Alliance Task Force has formed and AARC will be represented through its delegate to the group, Rob Chatburn.

The Simulation Task Force is hoping to:

• be the clearinghouse to gather common goals and initiatives in many professions
• share resources
• develop guidelines and standards related to simulation-based education

The AARC hopes that through its participation we can be a catalyst for creating and using simulations in medicine, allied health, and community safety programs.

Chatburn, RRT-NPS, FAARC, research manager at the Cleveland Clinic and an associate editor of Respiratory Care journal, sees several areas of opportunity for our profession in the simulation world. Among other things those could be:

• Mechanical ventilation
• Simulation of actual ventilators or “universal” ventilators to demonstrate the functionality of the many “modes” of ventilation.
• Simulation of lung function, i.e., simulating the mechanical and gas exchange properties of a human with either software or hardware to allow realistic interaction with simulated life support systems, e.g., ventilators
• Monitors
• Simulation of patient interaction with devices such as volumetric exhaled CO2 monitors, transcutaneous O2 and CO2 monitors, esophageal pressure monitors, blood pressure and ECG monitors, e.t.c.

Chatburn said that it’s good for the profession to be looking at ways of using simulations in education. “Simulations are a much less expensive means of acquiring basic skills than purchasing actual equipment, especially looking at mechanical ventilation.

“With simulators the whole range of patient-device interactions can be experienced without the time or risk associated with actual use.”

This page is located at: http://www.aarc.org/headlines/09/05/simulation_task_force.cfm