PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Justin L. Garner
AU  - Stefan D. Garner
AU  - Robin J. Hardie
AU  - Philip L. Molyneaux
AU  - Suveer Singh
AU  - Samuel V. Kemp
AU  - Pallav L. Shah
TI  - Evaluation of a re-useable bronchoscopy biosimulator with ventilated lungs
AID  - 10.1183/23120541.00035-2019
DP  - 2019 Apr 01
TA  - ERJ Open Research
PG  - 00035-2019
VI  - 5
IP  - 2
4099  - http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/5/2/00035-2019.short
4100  - http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/5/2/00035-2019.full
SO  - erjor2019 Apr 01; 5
AB  - Background Restrictions on respiratory trainee time and access to procedures reduce the opportunities to acquire necessary skills in bronchoscopy. Simulation, not subject to such impediments, is a useful supplementary aid to teaching bronchoscopic techniques in a safe environment but there is a limited choice of simulators that are sufficiently realistic and not prohibitively expensive. This study evaluated a low-cost device that simulates an intubated and ventilated patient, employing re-useable, inflatable, BioFlex-preserved, porcine lungs.Methods 26 bronchoscopists, trainee and experienced, after using the bronchoscopy biosimulator, completed a questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale comparing its performance with that of the computerised CAE AccuTouch.Results Participants were largely positive about their experience (mean score of 4.76). The bronchoscopy biosimulator was found to be realistic (mean score 4.64), easy to use (mean score 4.88), and helpful in learning to perform a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (mean score 4.85). Importantly, the bronchoscopy biosimulator compared favourably to the computer simulator (mean score 4.84).Conclusions These data support the concept of the bronchoscopy biosimulator as an acceptable model with which to supplement the experience of bronchoscopic procedures.A re-useable bronchoscopy biosimulator with ventilated lungs hones skills in an environment that is realistic, is free of patient safety issues and time constraints, and provides a complementary training tool to commercially available simulation models http://ow.ly/AkWM30octSd