Four individuals in simulation suite
Some of the goals of simulation are to maintain and enhance patient safety practices through ongoing learning, to practice hands-on activities in a safe environment without causing harm to real patients and to reveal areas that require more training. (Photo: UHN)

Phoebe Lam and Ana Lopez Filici know a thing or two about organizing simulation exercises.

Three years ago, they began experimenting with incorporating 3D printed models into their simulations for anesthesia assistants.

In one of the first scenarios with the new technology, they designed and printed a model of a ribcage with surgical wire attachments and silicone cover skin. The model was then mounted onto a full-body adult patient simulator for hybrid simulation.  

"It was a great success," says Ana, Manager of Anesthesia Clinical Services at UHN.

"The patient simulator provided the necessary physical responses, such as pulses and vital sign changes, whereas the 3D printed model allowed participants to perform invasive procedures, such as cutting through the skin, removing surgical wires and inserting a sternal retractor."

The Anesthesia Simulation Centre at UHN uses simulation to not only improve healthcare workers' knowledge and skills, but also address educational gaps identified in hospital incident reports.

These scenarios allow participants to work individually or in teams to perform routine procedures, manage crisis situations, rehearse treatment protocols and reflect on teamwork skills in a safe and realistic environment.

"Some of the goals of simulation are to maintain and enhance patient safety practices through ongoing learning, to practice hands-on activities in a safe environment without causing harm to real patients and to reveal areas that require more training," says Phoebe, Coordinator of the Anesthesia Simulation Centre and faculty at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN.

3D Print Machine
3D print machine. (Photo: UHN)​

The impacts of 3D printed models for training

Phantom models can be created based on real patient anatomy to mimic the range of pathologies, which means the model's features can be customized for specific learning objectives and curriculum needs. This is not possible with commercial models, which usually have a limited selection and can be expensive.

3D printing is one of several tools making point-of-care manufacturing of customized devices and models increasingly available, though applications are still currently at the research and development stage.

"The areas that will likely make the earliest significant impacts are simulation-based education and simulation of procedures for planning purposes and clinical decision making," says Dr. Azad Mashari, Anesthesiologist at Toronto General Hospital.

"The days of trainees learning to perform procedures on patients are numbered. With few exceptions, most of the training will be undertaken on customized simulators."

The Anesthesia Simulation Centre encourages anyone interested in incorporating simulation-based education into their learning activity to contact them, including staff, trainees and students of all professions at UHN.  ​

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