Simulation Props: Enhancing Realism on a Budget

Abstract

Suctioning Without the “Bloody” Mess We developed a “dry” suction system, to add an element of realism while protecting the patient simulator from exposure to liquid damage. This system has a self feeding “blood” supply, and needs to be attached to an active suction source. Blood can be seen and heard being suctioned from the patient simulator, into a suction canister. Material and Methods: -Yankauer suction, suction tubing, 3-way stopcock, a pressure infuser bag, a suction source, a 500ml IV solution bag infused with red dye, IV tubing with a Luerlock adapter, stiff monitoring tubing with a Luerlock. 1) Make a short incision into the suction tubing approximately 3’ from the end and attach the Yankauer catheter. 2) Attach the stopcock to the monitoring tubing and cut off the adapter on the other end. Lubricate the cut end and feed it through the incision of the suction tubing till you are about ½ inch from tip of Yankauer. 3) Take the 500ml IV bag with red dye. Attach IV tubing and place in the pressure infuser bag. Attach the IV tubing to the stopcock attached to the monitoring tubing. 4) Attach to suction and turn on. Apply pressure to the bag and open up the stopcock. “Blood” will flow to tip of the catheter fed from the monitoring line inside the suction tubing, and will then be suctioned back into the suction cannister. Cuts and Bruises: Cheap and Easy We developed these wounds to add an element of realism with the versatility of placing them anywhere on the simulator. Material and Methods: -Craft paints for painting on plastic or glass 1) Purchase a tube of clear (colorless) transparent paint, and squeeze some onto a small sheet of glass, plastic, or disposable palette the approximate size of a desired bruise or cut. Squeezing it out from the tube you will get a blob of white paint that will dry transparent and colorless. Gently tap or vibrate the surface to flatten out the blob. This will be your base onto which you paint the wound. 2) Allow 24 hours to dry. 3) Now use any brand of acrylic paints to create a wound onto the base. Paint your wound transparently (with thinned out paints), so when you place the wound, the simulator flesh color will show through in varying degrees. The transparency will create a natural blending making the wound more realistic. Conclusion: These designs were made at a low cost with minimal effort. They have enriched the realism of our simulations, and improved efficiency between scenarios. Conflict of Interest: Authors indicated they have nothing to disclose.