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Training to administer Epidurals

A couple of weeks ago, on ABC television’s program “The Inventors”, a new simulator for teaching practitioners how to administer epidural anaesthetics was showcased.

The inventor of this teaching tool explained that until now, doctors learning the techniques of epidural insertion had to practice using oranges or latex rubber blocks as crude substitutes for simulating the important feedback reactions of the human body as the needle is inserted into the epidural space surrounding the spinal cord. This learning method was very unsatisfactory, and usually after just a few practice runs on an orange, the doctor would resort to using human guinea pigs (women in labour?) to hone their skills. This is clearly an unacceptable situation, as inserting an epidural successfully takes a high degree of skill and accuracy if unwanted side effects are to be avoided.

All this was explained in graphic detail by the inventor of this training model. Using a combination of real time visual feedback monitoring, an appropriately constructed humanoid dummy and even audible signals (“OUCH!” if the needle was inserted incorrectly) the learner can now master the necessary techniques without ever going near a real person.

This was a fascinating segment of very popular television show. The inventor of this device was very frank and open about the side effects and possible consequences of a poorly performed epidural (he mentioned spinal headaches, and even paraplegia) while explaining the virtues of gaining the proper skills using his clever simulator.

It also highlighted that one of the major risks with an epidural is the level of skill of the anaesthetist and that this is not a procedure to be undertaken lightly. I sincerely hope that this new invention will quickly gain universal acceptance and that women in labour will no longer be used as “real time” learning tools.

Posted by andrea at September 11, 2006 10:39 PM