Development and use of mechanical devices for simulation of seizure and hemorrhage in obstetrical team training
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA. k.daniels@stanford.edu
Introduction:
The leading causes of pregnancy-related death are embolism (20%), hemorrhage (17%), and pregnancy-induced hypertension (16%).The Obstetric and Mechanical Engineering Departments at Stanford University worked together to create inexpensive devices that were used in high fidelity simulations to replicate 2 of the leading causes of maternal mortality: hemorrhage and eclampsia (seizure).
Methods:
The mechanisms were designed to behave as similarly as possible to a human patient. The engineering team designed the eclampsia mechanism to jostle the mannequin's head at a frequency and randomness that matched those observed in human generalized seizures. The hemorrhage mechanism was designed to give visual and tactile cues similar to the actual physiology of a pregnant uterus. Both devices were remote controlled.
Results:
The hemorrhage mechanism was used in a scenario of an amniotic fluid embolism with severe postpartum hemorrhage. The final flow rate was adjustable between 525 and 600 mL/min. The trainees' rapid response and control of the postpartum hemorrhage was deemed to be a vital part of a successful maternal resuscitation. The seizure mechanism was used in a simulation of a pregnant woman in labor with evidence of severe preeclampsia. If the trainees did not recognize the need for treatment of the preeclampsia, the patient simulator had a 45- to 60-second seizure. If corrective actions were not taken, another seizure occurred.
Conclusions:
The use of remote controlled mechanical devices designed to accurately replicate the visual, auditory, and tactile cues of hemorrhage and eclampsia enhanced high fidelity simulation training in obstetrical emergencies.
