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Simulation on the cheap

Toronto, Ontario

The Anesoft Corp. offers anesthesia and critical care software simulation software that is not only educational, but also actually fun to use. These packages were developed at the University of Washington Department of Anesthesiology. They offer five programs for Windows and Macintosh systems, the best-known is called anesthesia simulator and at the time of writing was in its third release. Critical incidents supported in this program include anaphylaxis, cardiac arrest, latex allergy, pneumothorax, renal failure and much more. The ACLS simulation package is an interactive teaching and testing program that helps you learn and review the latest ACLS guidelines. It contains algorithms, medications, and dosages from the American Heart Association guidelines published in the 1997 Textbook of Advanced Cardiac Life Support. One is required to interpret electrocardiogram traces, defibrillate, intubate and so on. The 28 simulated cases presented in the package cover asystole, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, pulseless electrical activity, heart blocks and more. An expert system included in the package for teacher management in shows you what went wrong and what to do next. It can even take over the case for you if you get tired or frustrated. Finally the system provides tutorials on rhythm recognition and treatment as well as tutorials on cardiac medications.

The Critical Care Simulator offers 20 different critically ill patients for whom you must manage the airway, ventilation, fluids, and drugs to improve the patient's condition. Also available is a hemodynamics simulator, intended to improve your management of cardiovascular instability, and a sedation simulator, designed to improve your management of conscious sedation.

Of interest to many are the CME credits (provided by the University of Washington School of Medicine) that may be earned using these simulators.

Anesoft Corp. www.anesoft.com Phone: 425-643-9388; Fax: 425-642-0092.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a scholarly reply Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Doyle, D. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Doyle, D. J.