Doctoring a dummy Doctoring a dummy (November 26, 2004)

Cardiologists test new device on fake patient

Boston Scientific brought a 35-foot-long bus to El Camino Hospital last week to give its cardiologists a chance to test out a new medical device on a dummy before using it on real patients.

Doctors were able to participate in simulation training exercises last Friday and had nothing but positive things to say about the experience, which offers them real-life situations without the real-life risks.

Doctors and support staff practiced inserting Boston Scientific's new medical filter, manufactured in Mountain View, in and out of a test dummy named "Simantha." The dummy was treated as a 79-year-old patient who has a heartbeat and lets doctors know when he is in pain.

According to Dr. James Joye, the medical director of El Camino Hospital's cardiac catheterization lab, simulation training has grown increasingly popular with physicians across the country.

Added Jerry McDermott of SimSuite, a medical simulation corporation, "It gives you a good opportunity to get hands-on experience without putting patients at risk."

Boston Scientific is driving its simulation bus across the nation. El Camino Hospital was its only Bay Area stop. --Julie O'Shea

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