Devices & Diagnostics, Hospitals

Ebola Watch: 3-D video game developed for safer training

No, this game is not for fun. This 3-D training video game, created by Shift […]


No, this game is not for fun. This 3-D training video game, created by Shift Labs, a Seattle-based startup, could make the preparation process for many healthcare workers in West Africa much safer and more effective, in terms of identifying the dos and don’ts of treating patients.

The IMAI-IMCI Alliance, a global network of clinicians that creates health care training programs for the World Health Organization, got in touch in mid-September with Beth Kolko, CEO of Shift Labs, to explore the idea of a simulation.

Because funds weren’t in place for such a project, Kolko recruited 40 video game developers, digital designers and clinicians for a hackathon over Halloween weekend at Seattle’s Living Computer Museum. They quickly got to work (with some prep work done ahead to give them environments and models to work with).

The game can clearly demonstrate what not to do when treating a patient, like touching your face or kneeling down to a possible contaminated floor, which triggers an alarm sound. It also takes into account things like body heat issues in the suits and the challenge of having your face mask steam up, obstructing your vision (especially for those who wear glasses).

Should the fundraiser go well, a web-based program could be used by doctors, nursers and training facilities abroad. Read more about the game here.

Other news: 

Three clinical drug and treatment trials start next month – One trial involves using the blood of recovered Ebola patients to treat sick people in the Guinean capital Conakry. Two antiviral drugs will be trialed in Guinea and an unconfirmed location. Results from the trials could be available by February 2015.

Senate panel not OK with Obama’s $6.2 billion request – The GOP is not pleased with the Administration’s quarantine protocols, where the requested money will go, and the role of Ron Klain, the President’s Ebola czar.

Liberians in Minnesota volunteer to build non-profit clinic abroad – The American Refugee Committee, based in Minneapolis, was already in talks with U.S. government officials this fall about providing medical aid in Liberia when it contacted local Liberian leaders and discovered there were already 100 doctors, nurses and other medical professionals eager to volunteer. When the charity started posting jobs and volunteer positions on its website for the treatment center, it received 400 applications in the first two days.

Ebola could be a global burden of $5.9 billion – Things could actually be much worse, but a conservative scenario, where the average cost to treat a patient is close to about $5,000 for severe cases, the global burden will be close to $5.9 billion by 2016. This is assuming that the disease is partially contained, and there is no spread to Asia.

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