Samsung Medical Center uses AR to speed up emergency blood transfusion preparation

A study conducted by researchers at Samsung Medical Center has demonstrated that augmented reality (AR) training significantly improves the speed and accuracy of emergency nursing procedures. The research, published in the journal ‘JMIR Medical Education’, focused on training nurses to use the ‘Level-1 rapid infusion system’, a critical device used to quickly administer fluids or blood to patients experiencing hypovolemic shock or severe trauma.

In a randomized controlled trial involving 42 nurses with no prior experience using the device, researchers compared AR-based training using HoloLens2 technology against traditional self-directed learning using printed manuals. While the AR group initially took longer to complete the learning phase, they demonstrated superior performance during actual equipment operation. The median time required to prepare the equipment was reduced by 62%, dropping from 9.85 minutes in the manual group to 3.67 minutes in the AR group.

Furthermore, the total time for the entire procedure, including fluid and blood infusion, was significantly shorter for the AR group (5.83 minutes) compared to the manual group (13.63 minutes). The AR-trained nurses also exhibited higher independence and accuracy, requiring no assistance during the 22-step operation process, whereas the manual group required intervention. Professor Son Myung-hee noted that AR can help medical staff prepare for unpredictable emergency situations by allowing repeated practice with critical medical devices.