Gamer nurses? SGH nurses learn immersive game training

It will allow nurses to be more confident and skilled in cannulation.

Singapore General Hospital (SGH) nurses were trained under IV Nimble (Nursing Innovation in Mobility-based Learning), which uses digital technology and offers a gamified training module to make cannulation more realistic.

The advanced procedure will also give more confidence and skills to nurses when mastering inserting the cannula. The cannulation is also stressful for patients, who have phobias towards needles. 

NIMBLE is co-developed by SGH nurses, Serious Games Asia (SGA), and Microtube Technologies.

“In a great leap forward, IV NIMBLE comprises a virtual patient avatar for nurses to practise talking to patients, a 3D-printed hand that mimics the texture of normal human skin and tissue, and a pressure sensor glove that gauges the pressure as cannulation is performed,” read the statement. 

Over 120 nurses completed the training during a trial period from June to July 2021.

The team will also enhance the NIMBLE through 3D-printed hands with commonly seen medical conditions and of elderly whose skin tends to be more fragile. 

IV NIMBLE will also be improved by adding training for other procedures such as venipuncture for blood collection, chest tube insertion, or other invasive procedures