Albany Medical College Partners With MySmartHealthcare: Collaboration On Brand-New Healthcare Simulator

Online, November 28, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Through their collaboration, AMC offers Subject Matter Expertise on many of the topics included in the simulator. As well, a beta version of tactile vrTM was recently introduced to Albany Medical College's Patient Safety and Clinical Competency Center. AMC will host a beta testing program of the simulator with their medical students, residents and nurses. As a result, mySmartHealthcare will incorporate their user feedback and evaluations into the final version of simulator.

mySmartHealthcare's president and CEO, Bill Cornelius, comments, "Albany Medical College's new simulation center is a perfect location for tactile vrTM." He adds, "I believe that tactile vrTM offers AMC a unique advantage in simulation compared to many of the other simulators used in the industry today. There are no other simulators that offer multiple 3D haptic procedures through the use of one device."

Haptics is the technology of simulating the sense of touch through a machine interface. It can be either tactile or kinesthetic.

mySmartHealthcare's simulator, tactile vrTM, is an intuitive, user-friendly simulator suite which focuses on helping healthcare professionals gain proficiency in common high risk procedures, while maintaining crucial patient safety recommendations.

"Another distinct advantage is that tactile vrTM allows learners to develop cognitive fidelity first through the online courses, and then they can prove proficiency through deliberate practice with the higher fidelity simulator," says Cornelius.

By combining online learning with a 3D haptic desktop simulator, learners gain core competency by first developing a basic understanding through cognitive course components, and then demonstrate proficiency through the computer-based simulations. The 3D graphics and haptic feedback offer an immersive virtual reality experience.

The topics included in the suite of training are Peripheral IV Catheterization, Urinary Catheterization and Central Venous Catheterization.

--Helping to Address Patient Safety and Quality Care--
Today there is a significant push for improving quality and safety in patient care. Due to errors caused by lack of training, healthcare providers run the risk of limited reimbursements. This product suite offers healthcare organizations the ability to be proactive on the overall training and proficiency process. Many of the topics offered are based on JCAHO, IHI, CMS and other recommended protocols.

tactile vrTM is a robust addition to mannequin-based training. By providing unlimited practice time for the procedure without the need for supervision, tactile vrTM better prepares learners to perform the procedure when working with mannequins, and eventually patients.

"Simulation-based training breaks procedures into tasks. Utilizing 3D and haptic modalities adds a new dimension to training prior to mannequin-based training," says Dr. Henry Pohl, vice dean of academic administration at Albany Medical College. "The iterative and additive nature of this deliberate training process increases the safety, comfort and quality of outcomes for patient based experiences while developing a learner's expertise."

--Hardware Included--
The tactile vrTM simulator kit includes: 3D monitor and glasses, laptop, two haptic devices, keyboard, mouse, custom travel case and all the software pre-loaded.

--About Albany Medical College--
One of the nation's oldest private medical schools, prides itself in offering an intimate, collegial environment which fosters humane values and genuine learning. The institution was founded in 1839 with an initial enrollment of 57 students. Despite the many changes and developments which have occurred over the years, the College still maintains a policy of limiting enrollment to a small group of carefully selected students-approximately 130 in each class.

The Albany Medical College promotes medical science and instruction across the curriculum and continually pursues excellence in the education of health care personnel, research in the basic and clinical medical sciences, and services to the community through delivery of patient care and the provision of appropriate resources.

For more information on Albany Medical College please visit www.amc.edu.