Uses of Simulation Technology in Hospitals - Article Example

? Uses of Simulation Technology in Hospitals al Affiliation) Simulation refers to the imitation or representation of one act or a system by another. It is used in the education sector, assessment purposes, research and also health system integration which is utilized for the patients’ wellbeing. Simulation is based on three types, which are live, virtual and also constructive simulation. It can also be of combined styles with live simulation involving humans or equipment and activity in a setting where the operation is real. The virtual simulation, on the other hand, involves humans and equipment but in a computerized controlled setting (Wilson & Rockstraw, 2011). This mainly depends on time factor making the users concentration extremely significant. Constructive simulations do not involve humans or equipment rather than time and the occurrence of events. These can be seen by the occurrence of hurricane among others. How Simulation can be used as Orientation Teaching Modalities Simulation is used for training in schools to procedures which are irreversible such as patient care and surgery. This is also used in testing the student’s performance in communication skills, application of the knowledge they have and also be able to think critically. Through simulation, the students are able to be provided by a powerful learning experience (Bayley & Drury, 1998). Through this, they are grouped for the purpose of assessment. Simulation has enabled students to take part in fragile and surgical patient treatment. Most of the students gain experience as the devices are able to be controlled in case of a misunderstanding of a student or an emergency thereby not causing deaths and injuries. Learning in the healthcare system requires the knowledge and skills which are mostly developed through apprenticeship. Through the situations occurrence in the livelihood, the students are able to gain experience and become more competent. This is seen as a better way of learning as the experiences enable them applying their skills. Simulation also offers a scheduled and a learning experience which is not easily obtained in real life. Students can obtain techniques on dealing with a high workload, coordination under stress and gaining of information regarding principles to be considered as they put it in practice (Dyro, 2004). Through simulation, the learners are able to correct their mistakes without an expertise intervention as it is computerized. This gives an adequate knowledge of the areas with flaws so as to avoid future mistakes. The learning experience through the simulation process can also be customized. The stimulation process incorporates all students despite being experts in the field (Dyro, 2004). The simulation training method is helpful when it comes to illness like heart attack, allergic reactions and malignant hyperthermia among others. Simulation allows repetition of activities which provides a better place for one’s learning experience in the field (Kyle & Murray, 2008). How Simulation can be used in the Academic Setting In the academic setting, stimulation is used for research purposes. Many research activities happen in order to improve the patients’ safety and also in dealing with difficult illnesses, which have emerged. This also improves the quality of services provided as it is undemanding to evaluate an improved system of treatment. New procedures can be studied under the simulated conditions through the tests conducted. The different kinds of simulation which include virtual live and computer based may be used in finding a solution to a given research conducted (Wilson & Rockstraw, 2011). Through simulation, learners can experience a safe environment for practice. This is because of the technology which prevents one from endangering the health of the patient which makes it a better tool to be used as compared to the traditional education which was risky to the patient’s life (Satava, 1995). The environment can also be seen to as conducive as it allows learning with feedback which is crucial in the clinical skill development. Through teamwork and better communication clinical problems are able to be solved by its identification of the diagnosis which mainly relies on teamwork. It has also been seen from the previous researches done that students trained by simulation retain more knowledge into the future as compared to those who are not trained or used the traditional methods thereby making it a preferred system of education. Through simulation training, there is the repetition of practice which makes the learners be able to gain experience in the clinical activities. It also leads to active learning for individuals through training in the controlled environment thereby prompting safety to the patients. In-services Programs Planned using Simulation Simulation as a modeling tool is a fundamental measure in the hospital scenery. Through this, there is a wide range of testing and experimenting which will lead to improvements. They also provide an environment safe for both a learner and the patient. Simulation can be used in developing a virtual health system which makes the new system of care able to be simulated in simulated context. It can be used in the health system in evaluating changes in the demand of patients; burden of certain illnesses among others, for example, the Scenario Generator developed by the National Health Service Institute used in the whole healthcare and social care system (Satava, 1995). Simulation can also be used as a benchmarking tool using the benchmarking software tool it enables the comparison of the performance of a health system. When this is, used together with simulation it can test the performance of another group of the health system (Finkelman & Kenner, 2009). This can be taken by the NHS comparators which enables the investigation of costs and outcomes in the health system. Through the benchmarking technique, it leads to an improvement in its efficiency. The NHS has also developed its own benchmarking software referred t as SHAPE (Strategic health Assets and Performance Evaluation) which allows the commissioners and providers are able to compare the costs and be able to look at outpatient’s rates, day surgery among others. This also helps in improving its performance through the comparison of the geographical information system with the demographic trends. Simulators can be used in hospitals for patients by the cyber therapy for traumatic incidences like the fear of heights. Programmed patients and simulated clinic situations are used for educational and evolutional processes. This makes it an ideal tool for teaching and measurement of clinical skills as it these simulators allows doctors to experience the disease to enable them experience the disease state. Simulation based approaches can also be used in the evaluation of organizational processes as well as an individual or the team performance (Kyle & Murray, 2008). This includes disaster response like the Tsunami and also testing of a new procedure before being put into practice. The care pathway analysis tool is software that enables the mapping of the patient’s healthcare. This can be modified in showing the potential impact of the effects of the new technology and the potential impact of new ways of working. References Bayley, T., & Drury, M. (1998). Teaching and training techniques for hospital doctors. Oxon: Radcliffe Medical Press. Dyro, J. F. (2004). Clinical engineering handbook. London: Elsevier/Acad. Press. Finkelman, A. W., & Kenner, C. (2009). Professional nursing concepts: Competencies for quality leadership. Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Kyle, R. R., & Murray, W. B. (2008). Clinical simulation: Operations, engineering, and management. Paris: Academic Press. Satava, R. M. (1995). Interactive technology and the new paradigm for healthcare: Medicine meets virtual reality III proceedings: San Diego, January 19-22, 1995. Amsterdam: IOS Press. Wilson, L., & Rockstraw, L. (2011). Human Simulation for Nursing and Health Professions. New York: Springer Publishing Company. Read More