A touch of added realism: Simulated electronic patient record monitor

Introduction: High-fidelity simulation is not only about very expensive and sophisticated patient simulators, as the environment is also a very important factor (1). Most simulation centres have derived solutions to bridge the gap between simulation training and reality (2-6). In this abstract a method of providing electronic patient data to scenario participants is presented.
Methods: Computers can be connected to several monitors by adding a graphics card, extending their desktop, and connecting the required number of monitors. Such setup allows for example for the Audio/Visual system and the patient simulator to be controlled from a single computer. A third monitor can be used to display ECGs, X-Rays, or laboratory results. An identical view of that monitor can be displayed in the simulation room by using a video splitter connected at the output of the corresponding graphics card. The basic setup is represented in figure 1.
Results: Only one computer is required to control the whole simulation room, except the control of urinary output or haemorrhaging of the simulator. Any information or image that needs to be shown to scenario participants simply needs to be dragged or opened when appropriate on the third monitor which is replicated in the simulation room. In turn this can also be captured by the A/V system for projection in the observation room, but it depends on the A/V setup used.
Conclusions/Discussion: The setup described is easy and inexpensive to implement. It has proved very useful in HICESC especially since we have started to run sessions involving radiographers. The use of electronic information allows for last minutes changes to the information presented.
Note: When purchasing the components you require for this installation, especially if you reuse old items, be careful with the connectivity of the different elements such as male/female and VGA/DVI cables.