Box Trainer Policy
The distributed box trainers are intended as a tool for the development of laparoscopic
skills. They have been donated for educational use to the Emory School of Medicine and
Department of Surgery in accordance with Emory Conflict of Interest Rules and with
approval from the Dean’s office. The following policy details the terms of usage and some
introductory instructions for resident reference. Please address any questions or concerns
to Jahnavi Srinivasan, MD (jsrini2@emory.edu) or Susan Ratliff (sratlif@emory.edu).
Terms of Distribution
1. Each trainer is numbered on the inside of the outer pocket along with each included FLS
task pack. These numbers will be recorded by Ms. Ratliff upon distribution to each
resident, and the residency will maintain a master list of trainers that have been
distributed to residents. Resident names will be kept completely anonymous from the
industry that has provided the educational materials.
2. Trainers will be loaned to each resident above the PGY-2 level for home use through the
remainder of their residency (this includes all residents who have entered research after
their pgy-2 level, and clinical pgy-3, 4, & 5 levels). Upon graduation, the trainer will be
returned to the residency for distribution to rising residents.
3. Trainers will be loaned for a 30 day period to the pgy-1 & 2 on the Emory Midtown
rotation and the pgy-2 on the Emory B rotation, given the emphasis of these rotations
on laparoscopic skill sets. These trainers will be distributed at the beginning of each
month and must be returned to the department on the last day of the rotation for
distribution to the residents rotating onto those services for the next month.
Alternatively, residents can automatically transfer the trainers to one another provided
they have agreed to do so and have notified Ms. Ratliff of the arrangements that have
been made.
4. Six trainers will be available to be checked out on a monthly basis by interested pgy-1 &
2 residents. Each of these trainers must be returned to the residency at the end of the
month in order to keep them available to other residents. Preference for trainer
distribution will be given to residents who have not had access to a home trainer first
(i.e., those residents in the first and second year who have had access to a home trainer
will have to wait for those who have not had access before being able to check one out
again).
5. Once institutional availability has been confirmed (computer availability in a secured
room), trainers will be stationed at Emory Clifton campus, Emory Midtown, the V.A., and
Grady to allow residents to have ready access at those campuses when there is free
time during the day. An announcement will be made about where these trainers have
been stationed once areas on each campus with resident access have been identified.
6. Please note that timely return of trainers to Ms. Ratliff (in reasonable condition) is
required. Each trainer and the included parts is valued at approximately $800, and
abuse of the equipment or failure to return the trainer expediently may result in a fine
to the resident who has been loaned the equipment by the Department of
Surgery/School of Medicine. Please remember that a delay in returning the equipment
prevents your colleagues from checking out the equipment for their educational benefit.
Introductory Instructions
1. Each trainer requires USB connection to a laptop or desktop computer to simulate a
laparoscopic monitor.
2. Each trainer bag has the following contents:
a. Industry donation disclaimer
b. CD for computer installation along with task cards for use with the included
activity set (located in the front pocket of the trainer bag)→ CD explains how to
use trainer with computer
c. Webcam & remote control (located in red bag within trainer bag)
d. Collapsible trainer, insertable baseboard, and foam riser (located within trainer
bag)
e. Maryland dissector, laparoscopic scissors, laparoscopic needle driver (located
within trainer bag)
f. Activity set located in red bag within trainer (two clips, rubber band spool, 7
pegs, box of cylinder PEGS for transfer) for use with task cards located in front
pocket on trainer
g. Bag strap for portable use of trainer bag
h. FLS practice set (10 pieces of gauze with imprinted circles for circle cutting task,
clip to anchor gauze, 6 pegs for peg transfer task along with peg anchor board,
10 penrose drains with Velcro and Velcro mount for intra-corporeal suturing
task, foam stomach for use with suturing and endo-loop task, camera bracket
and bracket stem for mounting of webcam to roof of trainer, 5 task cards
explaining FLS skills
Note:
Details regarding FLS to sit for general surgery boards can be found at the following
sites: Description of technical skills curriculum: http://www.flsprogram.org/wpcontent/uploads/2010/08/Technical-Skills-Proficiency-Bases-Training-Curriculum.pdf
Description of five FLS technical skills: http://www.flsprogram.org/wpcontent/uploads/2010/08/Manual-Skills-Guidelines-revised-Feb-2011.pdf