Computer helps docs hone skills (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Computer helps docs hone skills

Senior resuscitation officer Jon Taylor Picture Ref: 99849-29DOCTORS and nurses at Swindon's flagship hospital are fine-tuning their skills on computers.

Staff can make life or death decisions using an ultra-realistic computer package made in Norway.

At the click of a button staff can administer clot-busting drugs and take pulse readings.

Jon Taylor, a senior resuscitation officer, said the new kit is a major boost for the Great Western Hospital.

The programme which costs just £100 gives staff a series of realistic scenarios, which require immediate and decisive action.

And if the treatment is not up to scratch the 'patient' dies.

Mr Taylor said: "It is a relatively inexpensive bit of kit that should really help our staff.

"Doctors and nurses can ask the patient a number of questions.

"One question may be: 'describe the pain on a scale of one to 10' another might be: 'do you have any allergies?'

"Staff may then be expected to administer drugs and fluid and monitor the patient's condition."

Once the emergency is over, staff can 'transfer' the patient to the appropriate ward.

Mr Taylor added: "At the end staff are given a de-brief and marked on their performance.

"They are directed to other resources where they can swot up on the areas they dropped marks.

"We are encouraging all staff involved in acute medical care to use this programme. It is especially useful for anyone about to sit a medical exam or attend a course."

Machine feels the pain

Jon Taylor showed the kind of answers a trainee doctor might give to the machine.

The example was of Fred Watson, 70, who is on his way home from the airport after an overseas trip with his wife. He develops sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. The scenario was that Jon saw Mr Watson in A&E.

Jon: (Checks airway and breathing).

Computer: 31 breaths a minute. Sweating and skin is warm.

Jon: (Administers 15 litres of oxygen through a mask. Checks pulse).

Computer: Pulse 110 per minute and regular.

Jon: (Attaches a 12-lead ECG. Inserts an intravenous line). "Do you have pain?"

Computer: "Yes, I have pain."

Jon: "How bad is the pain on a scale of 0 to 10?"

Computer: "It is really bad about 7."

Jon: (Administers 4mg analgesics (slow injection) and 300mg of aspirin). "Do you have any pain?"

Computer: "It hurts when I take a breath."

Jon: (Takes blood pressure (85/100) and heart rate readings (104)). "How bad is the pain?"

Computer: "I would give it a five."

Jon's score: 67 per cent.

DEBRIEF: The patient suffered a pulmonary embolism. You did not listen to the patient's lungs and did not examine his legs for any sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Remember to ask the patient about allergies before administering drugs. You should consider the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in any patient with these symptoms particularly if they have a history of recent surgery."

Kevin Shoesmith