A Modular Approach for a Patient Unit for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Simulator

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Cardiopulmonary Support Technology

Background:

• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is vital but carries high patient complication risks.
• Effective ECMO staff training is crucial, particularly in regions with high demand like Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
• Current training methods may not adequately prepare staff for real-life ECMO emergencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a cost-effective, modular ECMO simulator to enhance staff training.
• To create a portable and extensible simulation system for realistic ECMO emergency scenarios.
• To improve ECMO patient safety by providing a risk-free training environment.

Main Methods:

• Designed a modular patient unit enclosed in a custom trolley for portability and accessibility.
• Integrated core simulation modules with quick connect/disconnect fittings for easy maintenance and upgrades.
• Developed a tablet application for instructors to control simulation modules and scenarios.

Main Results:

• The prototype patient unit demonstrated portability, maintainability, and extensibility.
• Successfully simulated key visual and audio cues of real ECMO emergency scenarios.
• The modular design facilitates cost-effective upgrades and maintenance of individual components.

Conclusions:

• The developed modular ECMO simulator effectively enhances staff training in a cost-efficient manner.
• The system's modularity and portability allow for easy adaptation and long-term use.
• This simulation approach improves ECMO team preparedness and potentially reduces patient complications.