Title

Facilitating Interoperability And Standards For Simulators In Healthcare

Keywords

Healthcare Simulation; Interoperability; MedBiquitous; Protocol Data Units; SE CORE

Abstract

This paper describes efforts undertaken to create a standard set of data exchange protocols that facilitate interoperability between simulators used in the healthcare field. The need for standard Protocol Data Units (PDUs) arises for several reasons, including exchange of information between the same simulators placed at different locations and the exchange of information between different simulator architectures (e.g., where one might represent higher-fidelity needed to execute certain procedures). These so-called PDUs could also potentially be used to convey information between a simulator and ancillary equipment, such as instructor stations. Training and education of geographically separated teams with different skill sets can require different simulators with differing levels of fidelity. A set of prototype PDUs is presented representing basic patient information and physiology. There are currently two records that are proposed: one supporting lower-fidelity simulators and the other supporting higherfidelity simulators. The individual parameters were selected by investigating inputs and outputs from several simulator companies. The range of a particular variable has been selected from the medical literature. The data structures embellish the U.S. Army-sponsored Synthetic Environment Core (SE CORE) programs Life Form PDU and are intended to be offered for balloting to become part of the IEEE 1278 set of standards used to define interactions between many simulators. Additionally, the data structure presented is consistent with the parameterized aspects of the MedBiquitous-developed virtual patient standard. The PDU aforementioned is generally suitable for lower-fidelity patient simulators. Additional data structures supporting exchange of physiological data found in many high-fidelity medical simulation devices are presented as additional records. There is still much work to be done to fully populate and codify a healthcare-related data exchange protocol. Additional efforts include review by the healthcare and simulator communities in both the government and private sectors, implementation and experimentation using actual simulators, and optimization for human and system performance.

Publication Date

12-1-2011

Publication Title

Spring Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2011, 2011 Spring SIW

Number of Pages

129-148

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Personal Identifier

scopus

Socpus ID

84865479752 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84865479752

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