A 'hospital' that's run entirely by robots!

Washington, Mar 28: The new 5 million dollars medical and surgical simulation training centre located at the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center in East Baltimor, which opened in March, has some very unique new staff members - robots.

The 'sim' centre contains two fully operational ORs, two intensive care units (ICUs), high-fidelity computerized mannequins that mimic physiologic and behavioural response to procedures, and 12 examination rooms where students practice routine exams on actors posing as patients with particular complaints and symptoms. The mannequins have breath sounds and heart tones, palpable pulses, and a monitor that displays vital signs as students, physicians, nurses and other health care professionals practice everything from bag-mask ventilation, intubation, and defibrillation to chest tube placement and endoscopies. Computer programs test decision-making skills and knowledge on topics such as advanced cardiac life support and trauma management.

"The idea is to get it right before they treat real patients," said Elizabeth Hunt, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and the centre's director. The troupe of paid professional actors who are trained to portray patients submit themselves to trainees who practice taking histories, performing physical exams, breaking bad news and communicating in a compassionate manner.

Each of the 15 simulation rooms in the centre is equipped with adjustable cameras, microphones, one-way glass for observer viewing and large flat-screen monitors so students and staff can quickly review their performance while it's still fresh in their minds.

In addition to training students and staff, Hunt said that the centre will also be used to train medical staff on new equipment, and for teaching emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

ANI