Data to support the benefits in reduction of medical error and improvement of medical procedure proficiency has been hard to come by. Not because the advantages are not real and demonstrable, but rather because the healthcare industry has been slow to adopt virtual simulation and other simulation technologies.

The May 19,2009 article, quoted below, by the Bristish Medical Association is a great example of the potential of virtual medical simulations when tested:

Participants were randomly allocated to either virtual reality simulator training or to traditional clinical training. The simulator group received seven hours of training. After training, the registrars performed their first laparoscopic operation on a patient (under senior supervision) and were scored according to their technical performance by two independent assessors. Their operation time was also recorded.

The simulator trained group scored an average of 33 points, equivalent to the experience gained in 20-50 laparoscopic procedures (intermediate level performance). The control group scored an average of 23 points, equivalent to the experience gained in less than five procedures (novice level performance).

Operating time was 12 minutes in the simulator group compared with 24 minutes in the control group.

To reiterate, the simulation trained surgeons demonstrated an experience level equivalent to having participated in 20 to 50 procedure, while the control (non simulation trained) surgeons scored as if they had experience with less than 5 procedures.

How many medical errors would be avoided,  outcomes improved, hospital stays shortened, costs reduced and yes even lives save, if every surgical procedure was performed by simulation trained surgeons.

I give up. As diligent as David has been about watering when it does not rain, none of our beds, perennial or annual look happy and lush. And forget about the lawns. Most of our neighbors have brown lawns not green grass. That’s what temperature in the  90’s will do.  So, I give up. Flower gardening this year has been frustrating. But there is always next year.

At DDA, we can’t give up. We are a marketing and advertising agency that understands the importance of marketing materials for both our corporate and medical clients. So we stand ready to produce both electronic and printed material, all custom designed for businesses large and small.

Right now, before the Fall rush is a good time to start planning how to get ahead of your competition, and DDA is prepared to help. Look through our vast website portfolio for ideas and to see how some of those ideas can propel your service or product into the interactive arena. Then call our business development team to answer your questions. Unlike the weather, the temperature in our offices is perfect.

And the talented staff who write content, or shoot video or the programmers working on complex codes team up with our talented graphic designers to make sure that when a client signs on with us they will receive work that is memorable and stands the test of time.

It seems like many of our clients are starting to jump on the mobile web bandwagon these days… and for a good reason. Over the last year, there has been a significant increase in mobile web browsing and there are no signs of it slowing down! As iPhones, Androids, WiFi-enabled laptop and other mobile devices continue to gain popularity, more and more people are doing their internet surfing on the road. Sadly, not all of those mobile devices can display web media and web pages correctly. What kind of message does that send to your prospective clients? In this day in age, a weak website creates an even weaker image for you and your company.That’s where we come in. DDA and AppleSavvy can make your web page and web media compatible with any platform or internet browser. With a cleaver fusion of flash and HTML5 programming and various media formats, your website will display perfectly for any internet surfer. Check out AppleSavvy today!