lawmakers introduce bill to promote use of sim

Lawmakers Introduce Bill To Promote Use Of Medical Simulation Technology

Article Date: 26 Feb 2009

Reps. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) and Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) recently introduced a bill (HR 855) that seeks to promote increased use of medical modeling and simulation technology to reduce health care costs and medical errors, CQ HealthBeat reports. M&S allows physicians to practice difficult medical procedures through virtual reality technology. The legislation would authorize $50 million for fiscal year 2010 to establish M&S "centers of excellence" to expand development of the field and fund grants for academic and professional organizations.

According to Forbes, M&S could reduce health care costs by as much $17 billion nationwide through a decrease in medical errors. In a statement, Forbes said, "The use of medical modeling and simulation provides doctors the ability to practice new and sophisticated techniques, with considerable cost benefits to patients and to our nation as a whole." He added that the bill would help "bring our health care industry into the 21st century through the use of technology" and provide the "potential to increase doctor skill and proficiency, save money and most importantly, save lives."

Kennedy said in a statement, "Medical errors can be extremely costly, and in the worst cases, fatal, with thousands of fatalities each year attributed to medical errors," adding, "Enabling clinicians to train and practice these new techniques in 'life-like' scenarios can dramatically reduce clinical error rates and improve patient safety and outcomes" (Weyl, CQ HealthBeat, 2/23).

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