MACSIM (Mass Casualty Simulation System) is a scientifically validated, interactive simulation tool for education, training, testing, and quality assurance of Medical Response to Major Incidents and Disasters (MCIs). Developed by an international group of disaster medicine experts, the system has been providing advanced training at operational, tactical, strategic, and academic levels for over 15 years. It is the core simulation tool used in the standardized MRMI (Medical Response to Major Incidents) course, which has trained over 10,000 participants from more than 30 countries since 2009.
Key Features and Capabilities
- Interactive Training: Combines live performance (role-playing) with computerized information to simulate realistic scenarios, enhancing decision-making and coordination among responders.
- Real-Scenario Patient Cases: Patient cases are based on real-world incidents (e.g., Madrid bombings 2004) and use algorithms to simulate the physiological dynamics of a real patient based on injury severity and treatment.
- Casualty Simulation Cards: Physical cards display physiological parameters (Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability) and injury symbols, facilitating realistic triage and patient management.
- Decision Accuracy Feedback & Evaluation: Offers detailed evaluation of decisions made during simulations, measuring outcomes by mortality and morbidity in relation to injury severity (ISS score) and resource utilization.
- All-Approach Method: Enables simultaneous, interactive training of the entire chain of response, including the scene, transport, hospitals, communication, and command.
- Cost-Effective Deployment: Designed for straightforward implementation with minimal equipment, making it an affordable alternative to high-tech virtual reality (VR) systems.
Target Users and Use Cases
- Target Users: Healthcare Professionals (Hospitals, Medical Institutions), Emergency Services (Paramedics, Rescue, Security), Law Enforcement, Military Personnel, and Academic Institutions.
- Use Cases: Training for triage and primary patient management, testing and quality assurance of preparedness plans, scientific evaluation and development of disaster medicine methodology, and multi-agency collaboration in large-scale emergencies.