Universal AV Work With the University of Bolton on Simbulation Suite.

Working In Partnership

Ian Moth University IT/AV Support Team Leader, University of Bolton commented; “When we decided to implement paramedics training we wanted something different, a new way for paramedics to gain a practical knowledge of the job whilst in the classroom. Working in partnership with the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) NHS Trust The simbulation idea was born….  This would provide students with a degree, knowledge and practical skills needed to work within the sector.

“Heading up the audio visual department for the University I came on board to look at how we could integrate the simbulation suite into the classroom environment and to be able to live stream elsewhere.

“We worked with Universal AV to discuss possible solutions, and how we could take it from a standalone simbulation room to a teaching platform, where classroom debriefings could take place and live streaming of training drills to remote sites, such as the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) who the University partners with, as well as medical training across the Country.”

The Solution

Universal worked with Bolton to discuss the types of solutions that could facilitate the needs of the room.  When we first started brainstorming the simbulation suite was just a true to size wooden box.  The Sony camera/projection Solutions were specified after Sony provided demonstrations of the solution.   The solution was a proven solution in this scenario and had already been installed for the BBC for a NWAS documentary and fit with the existing investment the University had already made in Sony throughout the University campus estate.

A Sony SRG 300 HW PTZ camera was mounted centrally in the ceiling of the Ambulance simbulation suite.  Another SRG 300 HW camera was located just inside the Ambulance rear doors. These record all movements of the trainees (working in pairs) and real world simulations.  This is then streamed to the rest of the class and viewed on an 86”Optoma Interactive touch screen.

Carrying out practical simulations in this manner ensures that those taking part in the simulation can move feely without all students crowding round to see, their movements and actions are recorded. Students not taking part in the Ambulance can learn from what is happening, in instances where alternative courses of action could be taken they are invited to comment in the debrief to the simulation.  Captured content is used for assessment purposes, reviewing; what they did, what went wrong, what could be done better, what went well, best practice etc.

Audio from the simulation is captured using Sennheiser Boundary & Lavelier Mics

An Optoma 86” Interactive Touch screen was situated in the classroom, where live footage is streamed to the class and where teaching takes place from in a traditional classroom style.  The classroom style has been replicated across Bolton One for familiarity.

To provide the solution with an added layer of authenticity we worked with Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust who provided camera footage of the route between Preston & Bolton Hospitals with the result that we were able to project to walls on the side and rear of the Ambulance using Sony VPL-FHZ85 laser Projectors allowing students on the inside of the ambulance  to see through the side and back windows a simulation of traffic routes and scenarios making the experience as realistic as possible with actual routes the ambulance would take displayed.

Installation

This was a unique project for Universal AV. We have never before worked on a simulation suite like this, nor had the University. There were no drawings or practical experience to call upon, we were all on a steep learning curve.

Challenges to the installation came in the form of teaching schedules and delays to kit.  The project manager from Universal worked around the Universities busy summer teaching programs to ensure the smooth delivery of the room. Delays to equipment such as racks meant that the project plan included return visits to site to complete the installation with newer racks, replacing the old.  Communication of this at the beginning and foresight of delays ensured repeat visits could be scheduled and accounted for on both sides.

Rory McKelvin Emergency Care Practitioner, Programme Leader Paramedic Science & Senior Lecturer Commented: “To train in a simulation room is not uncommon, however, traditionally they were made from wood, not a replication of an actual ambulance. My background has been majoring in simulation and clinical fidelity – how to make events more realistic so that people feel like they are in there and their brain starts to believe it. It is important they believe they are in the ambulance that they are travelling. It is important to get it to the highest fidelity, it is an inch for inch replica of the new specified NWAS vehicles, the same panels are in the same place, same buttons, which is important for training and familiarisation.  Training in this manner allows us to escalate the simulation and add additional stresses and help trainees develop resilience for the real world.

Group debrief is possible with the cameras recorded what happens in the simulation.  You are able to learn from watching, we can highlight good practices and the whole class can take place in this. The class environment is becomes very much an inclusive learning environment with little downtime for those not in the simulation as they are able to monitor the whole time.”