Introduction
What is ViRTUE?
ViRTUE is virtual-reality training software for infection prevention. It makes germ transmission in the hospital visible and gives healthcare professionals an intuitive understanding of effective hand hygiene in around 20 minutes.
Why ViRTUE?
Hand hygiene is the single most important measure for preventing the transmission of (multidrug-resistant) germs in the hospital. Teaching it, however, is difficult, because three problems come together:
- Germs are invisible. Microorganisms cannot be seen with the naked eye.
- The consequences are delayed. Improper hand hygiene only shows its effects much later.
- There is no direct feedback. Healthcare professionals get no immediate response to their individual actions.
The result: mistakes are hard to spot and discuss, and procedures are memorized by rote instead of leading to real understanding.
Overview
ViRTUE is innovative virtual-reality training software for infection prevention, developed by the infection prevention team at the University Hospital Zurich. As a unique feature, ViRTUE makes germ transmission visible in real time and true to life, and displays the patient zones around the patients. In just 20 minutes, users gain an intuitive understanding of effective hand hygiene.
We make germs visible.
ViRTUE makes germs on surfaces visible and captures precisely how they are transmitted by the user. In this way, the simulation conveys an intuitive understanding of how hand hygiene works and why it matters.
For a comprehensive overview of ViRTUE, the training concept and what we offer, visit our main site:
How does the training work?
The training takes place in a virtual hospital environment. In a simulated patient visit, the user treats two patients in the patient room and performs various tasks: greeting the patients, cardiac auscultation, measuring temperature and recording the measured results.
ViRTUE is operated by two people: the operator controls the software on the PC and supervises the training, while the user trains with a VR headset and controllers. Every interaction and every surface contact is registered, so that mistakes in hand hygiene become immediately visible.
Germ transmission can be shown in real time or at the end of a training sequence. With the replay function, users then experience their visit again and can analyse their own actions.
To see exactly how a visit unfolds, read From the user's perspective. For an overview of operation and hardware, see How is ViRTUE used?.
Features
- Immersive 3D simulation in virtual reality
- Configurable training scenario
- Visualisation of germs and patient zones
- Detection of possible germ transmission
- Verification of correct hand hygiene
- Replay function for analysing your own visit
What's the benefit?
Virtual reality enables “learning by doing”, which is more engaging, more effective and more lasting than theory alone. The automatic detection of missed hand-hygiene moments and the subsequent replay let users reflect on their own actions.
Who is ViRTUE for?
ViRTUE is aimed at everyone who works in professions with patient contact or is being trained for them, for example nurses, physicians, healthcare assistants (FaGe) and Spitex home-care staff. This makes it possible to teach the fundamentals of hand hygiene in hospitals and care facilities. ViRTUE is especially well suited to the following situations:
New professionals
In the training of nurses, physicians, FaGe, Spitex staff and other professions with patient contact.
Awareness days
At awareness days and events focused on hand hygiene, as a vivid and interactive station.
Specialist staff
For the continuing education and refresher training of already trained specialist staff.
What ViRTUE is about:
ViRTUE is not a comprehensive medical training covering every hygiene topic. The focus is on the fundamentals of hand hygiene. ViRTUE helps to deepen theoretical knowledge in practice and, thanks to the visualisation of the patient zones, to internalise a mental model of the hand-hygiene rules.