November 7, 2005 Source: Carleton University:
http://www.carleton.ca/duc/News/news11070501.html Carleton University Professor Receives Funding for Operating Room Simulator Avi Parush receives $80,000 in CFI funding to increase patient safety (Ottawa) – For Avi Parush, the study of human-machine interaction has been his life’s work. Today, the Carleton University professor from the Department of Psychology received $80,000 from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) towards the construction of an operating room (OR) simulator. Professor Parush’s vision for the simulator is to increase patient safety in the OR. The simulator will be useful for policy making, medical training, OR design, and medical device development and production. The research will focus on the interface among medical professionals, and with technological elements, equipment, and devices in the OR by looking at advanced technological concepts of human-machine interfaces adopted from the aviation industry and cockpit simulators. The findings will provide research-based guidelines on how to develop a safer OR environment for patients. Feridun Hamdullahpur, Vice-President (Research and International) welcomed CFI’s investment. "The research simulator will provide an excellent opportunity to train graduate students in the health-related domain," said Dr. Hamdullahpur. "An important aspect of this research will be the involvement of medical personnel which will contribute significantly to the training of the students in this area." "This award represents a strategic boost to the research capacities of Carleton University," said Dr. Eliot Phillipson, President and CEO of the CFI. "This funding allows Canada to attract and retain leading-edge researchers and provides our graduate students with access to world-class facilities and training environments." A critical aspect in patient safety is the re-evaluation and revision of the training of healthcare professionals. The research simulator will provide an opportunity to explore, develop, and most importantly, assess the effectiveness of various training approaches in the use of medical simulators. "Poor patient safety can be damaging and have life long repercussions," said Professor Parush. "It is extremely costly for the individual, the hospital, and the medical support system, both provincial and federal. My research will seek, develop, and research innovative approaches to increase patient safety in the OR, and thus contribute to a significant reduction of personal anguish and cost incurred by poor patient safety." Research Works at Carleton
Carleton University is a dynamic, interdisciplinary research institution located in Ottawa-Canada's capital. Carleton provides leadership to the conduct of research, scholarship, and creative activity. It has innovative programs in sciences, engineering, arts, and public administration and has realized partnerships with numerous public and private sector organizations. Its strengths have led to international recognition for its faculty, as well as an ability to attract outstanding students. -30- For more information:
Steve Blais
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
(613) 520-2600 ext.1391
steve_blais@carleton.ca
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