Mercy Uses Virtual Reality Gaming To Train Nurses

On the classic science fiction series, “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Enterprise crew enjoy the “holodeck,” a place where they can interact with holograms. But here in Baltimore, MINDGRUB Technologies is using their holodeck for something a little different, but still fairly similar.

“The holodeck was kind of an obvious choice. With virtual and augmented reality, it’s almost like when they exploded on the scene. They were a little bit ahead of their time. Now it’s like the times have caught up with the technology,” said Vincent Sharps, Vice President, Mindgrub.

Mindgrub is using their holodeck as a controlled environment to test virtual reality applications and games, including one in partnership with Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD.

“You can go in as a clinician and actually go through code simulation in virtual reality and really have a chance to perfect your skills without being in that urgent patient situation. In this, they’re getting an opportunity where they’re not affecting a real patient’s life, but yet it feels very real,” said Susan Finlayson, DNP, RN, Senior Vice President of Operations for Mercy Medical Center.

Working with Mindgrub, Stacey Brull, Mercy’s Senior Director of Research, Education and Magnet developed a game to train nurses. Overall, the game provides the same content as traditional training;  nurses utilize a leaderboard. 

According to Brull, it’s helped nurses retain information, and it takes less time than the training.

“Their evaluations are much more positive and they get to the unit so much faster,” Brull said.

View WBAL-TV11’s story regarding Mindgrub and Mercy’s use of virtual reality to train nurses.