Panoramic screen-based simulation with dynamic background

A national focus group evaluating a preliminary screen-based simulation found navigation between multiple screens representing different operating room (OR) entities challenging. Consequently, we re-designed the simulation without using multiple screens. To address the challenge of aesthetically depicting both extensive scope and minute detail of an OR on a single screen without using a patchwork collage of graphics, we developed a novel approach using a panoramic photograph captured from an anesthesia provider¿s typical vantage point. We used Director to render the panoramic background interactive and dynamic. In spite of extensive computation to allow smooth 360° panning around the OR, image de-warping, animation and sonification of the panoramic background and projecting mathematical models up to 3 hours forward in time, the simulation runs in real time with imperceptible delay on a regular Windows notebook computer. Users can jump forward and backward in time. Clinicians worldwide are currently using the simulation for training.