Bringing ultrasound into simulation with the NEW HeartWorks TTE Mobile
Point of care ultrasound is becoming widely recognised among multiple clinical specialities, as a valuable diagnostic procedure that offers far-reaching benefits in managing patient care.
But while technological advances in recent years have increased the availability of easy-to-use, high-quality imaging and lower cost ultrasound units, the training opportunities to develop the necessary skills to use them have been limited.
The new HeartWorks TTE Mobile is a comprehensive educational tool designed to easily integrate into simulation programmes, enabling students from any clinical discipline to acquire both the theoretical and practical skills required to become proficient in Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE).
Transferring TTE skills to clinical practice
A light-weight, removable chest overlay that can be positioned over most full body adult patient simulators* or used as a stand-alone simulator, HeartWorks TTE Mobile ensures students gain practical knowledge and experience in recognising when to utilise ultrasound in the care of patients; acquiring real-time, quality imaging with correct probe placement; interpreting the ultrasound images to make correct diagnoses and determining appropriate treatment.
Bridging the knowledge gap
“One of the challenges facing educators of TTE has been how to give students experience in recognising pathology and seeing enough cases with abnormalities”, says Dr. Bruce Martin, Consultant Cardiac Anaesthetist at London’s Heart Hospital. “HeartWorks TTE Mobile helps us to overcome these challenges,” he observes. “By transferring echo skills and knowledge into a simulated echo environment and with the variety of HeartWorks pathologies that are available, doctors competencies can be greatly enhanced.”
Supporting a culture of patient safety
“Working with educators of TTE from around the world, it is clear that the demand for point of care ultrasound is growing and with it, the need to train a greater diversity of clinical specialists in a risk-free environment”, says Ian Whittaker, CEO of Inventive Medical. “We are proud to have developed HeartWorks TTE Mobile in response to this need and believe its use in scenario training will play an important role in furthering patient safety practice.“
It is clear that the demand for point of care ultrasound is growing and with it, the need to train a greater diversity of clinical specialists in a risk-free environment.