A Mixed Reality system for the simulation of emergency and first-aid scenarios.

Simulation is a powerful learning tool, as it allows gaining direct experience in a controlled and repeatable way. However, the simulation is effective when it is able to reproduce the real conditions and when the user feels him/herself immersed and present in the situation. With the aim of improving these critical points, we propose an immersive virtual reality system for first-aid handling. Specifically, we increase the visual realism of medical mannequins and the contextualization, and we add the touch feedback by mapping the real mannequin into its virtual representation. Moreover, the interaction is performed by using a virtual representation of the users own hands by allowing a more realistic execution of tasks. The results show a good accuracy in the mapping between the real and the virtual mannequin, and a high degree of presence for both the control group and the medical one. These results and the low values of simulator sickness reported during the experiment are a good starting point for the use of the proposed mixed reality system in simulation scenarios.

Evaluation of medical management during a mass casualty incident exercise: an objective assessment tool to enhance direct observation.

BACKGROUND: Functional exercises represent an important link between disaster planning and disaster response. Although these exercises are widely performed, no standardized method exists for their evaluation. STUDY OBJECTIVES: To describe a simple and objective method to assess medical performance during functional exercise events. METHODS: An evaluation tool comprising three data fields (triage, clinical maneuvers, and radio usage), accompanied by direct anecdotal observational methods, was used to evaluate a large functional mass casualty incident exercise. RESULTS: Seventeen medical responders managed 112 victims of a simulated building explosion. Although 81% of the patients were assigned the appropriate triage codes, evacuation from the site did not follow in priority. Required maneuvers were performed correctly in 85.2% of airway maneuvers and 78.7% of breathing maneuvers, however, significant under-treatment occurred, possibly due to equipment shortages. Extensive use of radio communication was documented. In evaluating this tool, the structured markers were informative, but further information provided by direct observation was invaluable. CONCLUSION: A three-part tool (triage, medical maneuvers, and radio usage) can provide a method to evaluate functional mass casualty incident exercises, and is easily implemented. For the best results, it should be used in conjunction with direct observation. The evaluation tool has great potential as a reproducible and internationally recognized tool for evaluating disaster management exercises.