Enabling Realistic HAZMAT Training Simulations with the PerSim Augmented Reality Patient Simulator

Abstract SignificanceAlthough patient simulators have demonstrated improved learning outcomes in medical trainingthere is a significant lack of realismThusthey do not effectively provoke a realistic emotional response in traineesThis significantly limits their educational value to the emergency medical serviceEMStraining agenciesas doesin the case of mannequinstheir costreliance on electricityand lack of portabilityTo address these significant limitations of the current medical patient simulatorsthe PI has developed PerSimTMa patient simulator using augmented realityARand currently a product offered by the PIandapos s companyHoweveradditional research and development in is needed to effectively support HAZMAT training scenariosCommercial NeedBased on interviews with individuals at training agencies within EMS agenciesHAZMAT training scenarios would be of significant valueSince being released inth quarterthere aresites that have purchased PerSimTM for$K each and are using the system for EMS trainingeffectively training overtrainees per yearMoreoverthe PI has a joint marketing agreement with Microsoftwhich boost the company s marketing effortsPreliminary DataThe PI has developed PerSimTM an AR based patient simulatorVia the Microsoft HoloLens AR displaythe system projects high resolutionrealistic animations of a patient onto any surface a trainee choosessuch as low fidelity mannequin as a physical reference for haptic input during proceduresThe instructor uses a handheld tablet as both a controller for the simulation and an automated assessment system to track trainee performanceThe system utilizes another tablet to act as a defibrillator and a physiologic monitor to provide real time vital sign and heart rhythm dataThe system s control interfaces and registration algorithms are provisionally patentedSpecific AimsThis project proposes to develop and evaluate HAZMAT training scenarios in the PIandapos s innovative AR based patient simulatorPerSimTMIn Specific Aimthe PI will work with medical artists from UT Health and a HAZMAT expert co I to create realistic scenarios and integrate them with the PerSimTM systemThe PI plans to develop textures and animations based on NFPAStandard for Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materialsspecifically poisonous gase gphosgeneinhalationcorrosive materialse ga vesicular agent such as Mustardand poisonous materialse gorganophosphateIn Specific Aimthe PI will evaluate the realism of the HAZMAT scenarios through user studies with HAZMAT professionals as participants The proposed research is relevant to public health because it enables more effective training for HAZMAT professionalswhich will result in saving livesThis project is relevant to NIEHS s mission because it applies augmented reality in a novel approach to enhance the realism of HAZMAT simulation and trainingthereby better preparing trainees for real scenarios