Mercy Uses Virtual Reality Gaming To Train Nurses
April 13, 2017
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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.
About Mercy
Founded in 1874 in Downtown Baltimore by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Medical Center is a 183-licensed bed, acute care, university-affiliated teaching hospital. Mercy has been recognized as a high-performing Maryland hospital (U.S. News & World Report); has achieved an overall 5-Star quality, safety, and patient experience rating (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services); is A-rated for Hospital Safety (Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade); and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet™ hospital. Mercy Health Services is a not-for-profit health system and the parent company of Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Personal Physicians.
Media Contact
Dan Collins, Senior Director of Media Relations
Office: 410-332-9714
Cell: 410-375-7342
Email: dcollins@mdmercy.com