Pharmaceutical glass vial prop for clinical simulations

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There’s no doubt about the effectiveness of clinical simulation as a teaching method for both future and existing medical professionals. However, sourcing the right equipment for these simulations can present challenges, especially when it comes to simulated drugs.

Simulated medications are often expensive and not always readily available. Using real drugs can pose dangers and may even be illegal in a simulation context, while repurposed empty medicine packaging still carries risks. Additionally, when working with students, you can never fully ensure the safety of your equipment, nor can you rule out the possibility that a student might accidentally or intentionally take a piece of equipment out of the simulation room and into a real hospital setting.

For more insights on safety during clinical simulations, you can explore these resources:

• Healthcare Simulation Safety
• A clinical report on a case where a simulated drug was accidentally administered to real patients, leading to sepsis: SAGE Journals.

Given these safety concerns, along with financial constraints, availability issues, and the need for easy replaceability, I began creating 3D models of medications and medical equipment. These can be printed on a 3D printer and used as props during simulations.

I’m excited to present my glass vial prop for healthcare simulations! This is a cost-effective, quick, and accessible solution for simulating medications in vials for educational purposes.

It’s important to note that while this model is not suitable for high-fidelity training that requires the actual use of medication vials, it serves as an excellent prop in InSitu simulations (clinical simulations conducted in real clinical environments). In these scenarios, the focus is not on teaching how to use a vial but rather on the mere presence of medications in the medical bag, which is crucial for training.

This prop is ideal for advanced training courses in emergency care and can significantly enhance the realism of your simulations.

Printed at the Medical Education Technology Centre of Riga Stradiņš University (Latvia), I would love to see this model in action! If you decide to use it, please share photos and comments. And if you'd like to support my work, a cup of hot chocolate would be greatly appreciated! 😊