Virtual Reality Simulation for Assessment of Hemorrhage Control and SALT Triage Accuracy in First Responders

ObjectiveHemorrhage control, triage efficiency, and triage accuracy are essential skills for optimal outcomes in mass casualty incidents. This study evaluated user application of skills through a Virtual Reality (VR) simulation of a subway bombing.MethodsEMS clinicians and healthcare professionals engaged in a VR simulation of a bomb/blast scenario utilizing VRFirstResponder, a high-fidelity, fully immersive, automated, customizable, and programmable VR simulation platform. Metrics including time to control life-threatening hemorrhage and triage efficacy were analyzed using median and interquartile ranges (IQR).Results389 EMS responders engaged in this high-fidelity VR simulation encountering 11 virtual patients with varying injury severity. The median time to triage the scene was 7:38 minutes (SD = 2:27, IQR = 6:13, 8:59). A robust 93% of participants successfully implemented all required hemorrhage control, with a median time of 3:51 minutes for life-threatening hemorrhage control (SD = 1:44, IQR = 2:41, 4:52). Hemorrhage control per patient took a median of 11 seconds (SD = 0:47, IQR = 0:06, 0:20). Participants accurately tagged 73% of patients and 17% effectively utilized the SALT sort commands for optimal patient evaluation.ConclusionThe VRFirstResponder simulation, currently under validation, aims to enhance realism by incorporating distractors and refining assessment tools.