(Left) Blaine Robson, Cassandra Andrews, Lisa Gu, Carena Lai, Joanna Giang, Christine Giang and Alister Ford.
Monash Health has received the first AI-powered ultrasound anaesthesia training device in Australia, thanks to the generous donation from the Giang family.
The ScanNav Intelligent Ultrasound NeedleTrainer will be a valuable addition to the busy Anaesthesia Department at Dandenong Hospital.
The NeedleTrainer is set to improve training for regional anaesthesia training by using a retractable needle and ultrasound technology, enhanced with virtual image overlays powered by artificial intelligence. This innovative system allows for non-invasive simulation of needling on live models, providing a realistic and effective training experience.
Teaching this complex skill through simulation on live subjects, augmented by thousands of AI-generated images, significantly improves hand-eye coordination and accelerates the learning curve for regional anaesthetic techniques. Evidence shows that this method dramatically enhances competency in these techniques.
Regional anaesthesia – where a nerve or group of nerves in a specific area of the body can be made numb by a local anaesthetic injection – offers numerous benefits, including reduced pain, lower opioid requirements, early mobilisation, clearer mental state, and quicker return to normal eating and drinking, all of which contribute to a smoother recovery period for patients.
The NeedleTrainer will serve as a crucial tool for trainee anaesthetists, providing a solid foundation for their regional anaesthetic skills through the Monash Health Regional Anaesthetic Training Program.
Additionally, it will support consultant anaesthetists at Monash Health in refining their skills through planned workshops, ensuring that all patients have access to appropriate regional anaesthesia techniques.
On behalf of the clinicians and patients at Dandenong Hospital, we would like to extend our gratitude to the Giang family for their generous gift.