OMS User Health and Safety Policy

Oxford Medical Simulation (“OMS”) has designed healthcare Simulations that evoke true to life healthcare scenarios utilising Virtual Reality (“VR”) technology to enhance realism. We recognise that there are health and safety considerations that must be addressed before you partake in Simulations in VR.

1. Health and Safety pertaining to the Oculus Rift

We currently enable users to run Simulations using the Oculus Rift (the “Rift”), a VR device that gives users an immersive 360-degree view of a three-dimensional virtual reality world. The system includes a Rift Headset, two (2) Oculus Sensors, and a pair of Oculus Touch controllers. The Headset and Sensors are connected to a workstation (PC unit) via USB and headset cables. Before operating please visit www.oculus.com/setup for Set-Up Instructions, Best Practices, and Troubleshooting.

Before using the Rift each time, check that all components are in working order. Please only use dry optical lens micro-fiber cloths for cleaning the headset lenses and sensor. Do not clean lenses or sensor with any liquid or chemical cleansers. Do not clean the facial interface foam with alcohol or any other abrasive cleaning solution. For cleaning of the straps and facial interface, only use non-abrasive anti-bacterial wipes and wipe gently. To clean the Touch controllers, only use non-abrasive anti-bacterial wipes and wipe gently. Ensure the battery tray cover is in good working condition and locks in place. As with any electronic devices, avoid exposure to water or fluids.

Here we have provided a partial list of health & safety warnings that specifically pertain to the use of OMS Software on the Rift. Full health & safety warnings from Oculus are periodically updated for accuracy and completeness. Check www.oculus.com/warnings for the latest version.

HEALTH & SAFETY WARNINGS: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY, DISCOMFORT OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL USERS OF THE HEADSET READ THE WARNINGS BELOW CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THE HEADSET AND TOUCH CONTROLLERS.

Before Using the Headset and Touch controllers

• Read and follow all setup and operating instructions provided with the headset and Touch controllers.
• Review the hardware and software recommendations for use of the headset and Touch controllers. Risk of discomfort may increase if recommended hardware and software are not used.
• Your headset, Touch controllers and software are not designed for use with any unauthorized device, accessory and/or software. Use of an unauthorized device, accessory and/or software may result in injury to you or others, may cause performance issues or damage to your system and related services.
• To reduce the risk of discomfort, adjust the inter-pupillary distance (IPD) for each user before use of the headset, and check the settings before resuming use after a break, to avoid any unintended changes to settings.
• Virtual reality is an immersive experience that can be intense. Frightening, violent or anxiety provoking content can cause your body to react as if it were real. Carefully choose your content if you have a history of discomfort or physical symptoms when experiencing these situations.
• A comfortable virtual reality experience requires an unimpaired sense of motion and balance. Do not use the headset when you are: Tired; need sleep; under the influence of alcohol or drugs; hung-over; have digestive problems; under emotional stress or anxiety; or when suffering from cold, flu, headaches, migraines, or earaches, as this can increase your susceptibility to adverse symptoms.
• We recommend seeing a doctor before using the headset if you are pregnant, elderly, have pre-existing binocular vision abnormalities or psychiatric disorders, or suffer from a heart condition or other serious medical condition.
• Seizures Some people (about 1 in 4000) may have severe dizziness, seizures, eye or muscle twitching or blackouts triggered by light flashes or patterns, and this may occur while they are watching TV, using video games or experiencing virtual reality, even if they have never had a seizure or blackout before or have no history of seizures or epilepsy. Such seizures are more common in children and young people. Anyone who experiences any of these symptoms should discontinue use of the headset and see a doctor. If you previously have had a seizure, loss of awareness, or other symptom linked to an epileptic condition should see a doctor before using the headset.
• Children This product is not provided by OMS for use by children and special health and safety considerations apply. If you intend to use the equipment with children you are responsible for ensuring you comply as a minimum with manufacturers guidelines and make a proper health and safety assessment prior to any such use.
• Use Only In a Safe Environment: The headset produces an immersive virtual reality experience that distracts you from and completely blocks your view of your actual surroundings. ul li Always be aware of your surroundings before beginning use and while using the headset with Touch. Use caution to avoid injury. li Use of the headset with Touch may cause loss of balance. li Remember that the objects you see in the virtual environment do not exist in the real world, so don’t sit or stand on them or use them for support. li Remain seated unless your game or content experience requires standing. li Serious injuries can occur from tripping, running into or striking walls, furniture or other objects, so clear an area for safe use before using the headset and Touch. li Take special care to ensure that you are not near other people, objects, stairs, balconies, open doorways, windows, furniture, open flames, ceiling fans or light fixtures, televisions or monitors, or other items that you may impact when using—or immediately after using—the headset and Touch. li While using the headset with Touch, you may extend your arms fully out to the side or over your head, so make sure all of those areas are clear. li Be sure the area overhead is clear of potential hazards like light fixtures and ceiling fans. li Remove any tripping hazards from the area before using the headset. li Remember that while using the headset and Touch you may be unaware that people and pets may enter your immediate area. li Do not handle sharp or otherwise dangerous objects while using the headset. li Never wear the headset in situations that require attention, such as walking, bicycling, or driving.
• Guardian System: The headset with Touch contains a boundary system, Guardian, designed to assist you in staying in your use area. If you enable it and define your use area, it will help you to be aware of the boundaries of your space. ul li Before defining your use area, make sure you survey it and clear it of potential hazards as defined in this Guide. The space you define with Guardian should be an area that is clear and away from potential hazards. Make sure your defined space provides for additional space as a buffer between it and potential hazards so you do not contact hazards if your movement carries you beyond the area you defined in Guardian. li Guardian only assists if you enable it and properly define your use area. Before using the headset each time, confirm that Guardian is enabled and the use area is properly defined. li The Guardian system is only a guide, and may not always show you the exact boundaries of your use area. You are still responsible for using the Rift in a safe manner and environment as described in this Guide. li The Guardian system will only alert you to the boundary of your use area. It cannot prevent you from moving out of your use area. For example, it will not prevent you from running into or contacting a wall, or falling through a door or window or down a stairwell. li Guardian does not identify a boundary over the top of your use area, so take special care to identify that the area overhead is clear of potential hazards like light fixtures and ceiling fans. li Guardian does not identify everything in your use area, and will not alert you to items on furniture, like lamps, or other people or pets in your use area. li Guardian requires recalibration if the sensors are moved, even accidentally. This is to ensure that the correct use area is defined. Follow all on screen notifications for redefining the boundaries of your use area. li Moving at high speeds may not permit you to react in time to stay in your use area, even if Guardian alerts you, so make sure you move slowly enough to react to any Guardian alerts. li Make sure the headset is secured comfortably on your head, and that you see a single, clear image. li Always use included wrist straps with the Touch to secure the controller to your wrist during use. li Make sure the headset and sensor cables are not choking or tripping hazards. li Ease into the use of the headset to allow your body to adjust; use for only a few minutes at a time at first, and only increase the amount of time using the headset gradually as you grow accustomed to virtual reality. Oculus provides comfort ratings for some content, and you should review the comfort rating for your content before purchasing content and before use. (For more details on comfort ratings and how they can assist in providing a comfortable experience, go to https://support.oculus.com/help/oculus/918058048293446/.) If you are new to virtual reality, start with content rated Comfortable, before trying Moderate, Intense or Unrated content. Looking around and using the input device when first entering virtual reality can help you adjust to any small differences between your real-world movements and the resulting virtual reality experience. li Take at least a 10 to 15 minute break every 30 minutes, even if you don’t think you need it. Each person is different, so take more frequent and longer breaks if you feel discomfort. You should decide what works best for you. li Listening to sound at high volumes can cause irreparable damage to your hearing. Background noise, as well as continued exposure to high volume levels, can make sounds seem quieter than they actually are. Due to the immersive nature of the virtual reality experience, do not use the headset with the sound at a high volume so that you can maintain awareness of your surroundings and reduce the risk of hearing damage.
• Discomfort ul li Immediately discontinue using the headset if any of the following symptoms are experienced: seizures; loss of awareness; eye strain; eye or muscle twitching; involuntary movements; altered, blurred, or double vision or other visual abnormalities; dizziness; disorientation; impaired balance; impaired hand-eye coordination; panic or anxiety attack; excessive sweating; increased salivation; nausea; lightheadedness; discomfort or pain in the head or eyes; drowsiness; fatigue; or any symptoms similar to motion sickness. li Just as with the symptoms people can experience after they disembark a cruise ship, symptoms of virtual reality exposure can persist and become more apparent hours after use. These post-use symptoms can include the symptoms above, as well as excessive drowsiness and decreased ability to multi-task. These symptoms may put you at an increased risk of injury when engaging in normal activities in the real world. li Do not drive, operate machinery, or engage in other visually or physically demanding activities that have potentially serious consequences (i.e., activities in which experiencing any symptoms could lead to death, personal injury, or damage to property), or other activities that require unimpaired balance and hand-eye coordination (such as playing sports or riding a bicycle, etc.) until you have fully recovered from any symptoms. li Do not use the headset or Touch until all symptoms have completely subsided for several hours. Make sure you have properly configured the headset before resuming use. li Be mindful of the type of content that you were using prior to the onset of any symptoms because you may be more prone to symptoms based upon the content being used. Review the comfort rating for the content you were using, and consider using content with a more appropriate comfort rating. li See a doctor if you have serious and/or persistent symptoms. Repetitive Stress Injury Using the headset with Touch can make your muscles, joints or skin hurt. If any part of your body becomes tired or sore while using the headset or its components, or if you feel symptoms such as tingling, numbness, burning or stiffness, stop and rest for several hours before using it again. If you continue to have any of the above symptoms or other discomfort during or after use, stop use and see a doctor. li Interference with Medical Devices The Headset, Touch Sensor, and Remote contain magnets or components that emit radio waves, which could affect the operation of nearby electronics, including cardiac pacemakers, hearing aids and defibrillators. If you have a pacemaker or other implanted medical device, do not use these devices without first consulting your doctor or the manufacturer of your medical device. Maintain a safe distance between these devices and your medical devices, and stop using these devices if you observe a persistent interference with your medical device. Batteries Touch controllers use AA Alkaline batteries (1 for each device). The simple input device (remote) supplied with your headset contains a coin/button cell battery. A third-party controller you may have received with your headset may also contain batteries.
• CHOKING HAZARD. The Touch controllers, simple input device (remote) and third-party controllers are not toys. They contain batteries, which are small parts. Keep away from children under 3.
• DO NOT INGEST ANY BATTERY. CHEMICAL BURN HAZARD.
• If a battery is swallowed, it can cause severe internal burns and potential perforation of esophagus in just 2 hours and can lead to death. Keep batteries out of reach of children.
• If you think batteries might have been swallowed or placed inside any part of the body, seek medical attention, and have your doctor call the battery ingestion hotline at (202) 625-3333.
• If the battery compartment does not close securely, stop using the product and keep it away from children.
• Risk of fire. Batteries can explode or leak if installed backwards, disassembled, overcharged, punctured, crushed, mixed with used or other battery types, or directly exposed to fire or high temperature. Do not recharge disposable batteries. Replace all batteries in a single device at the same time.
• Keep in original package until ready to use. Properly dispose of used batteries promptly.
• Do not allow conductive materials to touch the battery terminals on the devices. Keep batteries dry and avoid water intrusion.
• Do not disassemble, pierce, or attempt to modify batteries.
• Warning required by the State of California: Perchlorate Material - special handling may apply, see www.dtsc.ca.gov/ hazardouswaste/perchlorate
• Refer to www.oculus.com/recycle for proper replacement, and disposal of batteries. Controller
• Your headset may have come with a third-party controller, consult the manufacturer for health and safety warnings for the controller.
• If available, always use wrist straps with controllers to secure the controller to your wrist when in use.
• Reference Microsoft X-Box controller User Manual for proper maintenance and handling. Electrical Shock To reduce risk of electric shock:
• Do not modify or open any of the components provided.
• Do not use the product if any cable is damaged or any wires are exposed. CA Prop 65 This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Damaged or Broken Device
• Do not use any of the devices if any part is broken or damaged.
• Do not attempt to repair any part of any of your devices yourself. Repairs should only be made by an authorized servicer.
• Contagious Conditions To avoid transferring contagious conditions (like pink eye), do not share the headset with persons with contagious conditions, infections or diseases, particularly of the eyes, skin or scalp. The headset should be cleaned between each use with skin-friendly non-alcoholic antibacterial wipes and with a dry microfiber cloth for the lenses. Skin Irritation The headset is worn next to your skin and scalp. Stop using the headset if you notice swelling, itchiness, skin irritation or other skin reactions. If symptoms persist, contact a doctor.
• For additional information about where you should drop off your batteries and electrical or electronic waste, please contact your local or regional waste-management office, your household waste disposal service, or your point-of-sale.
• The Oculus Rift has been developed in the United States. Designed by Oculus VR, LLC 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA, USA Oculus VR Ireland Limited 4 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland Made in China 310-30123-01

2. Additional Health and Safety using the OMS platform

Because OMS Simulations have been designed to evoke true to life healthcare scenarios, remember that they can be stress inducing. If the stress ever becomes overwhelming, leave the scenario. Scenarios can be more stressful when using the VR headset than when viewed on-screen or as a projection.

If there is a scenario you would like to complete but cannot do in a VR headset because of stress or other medical reasons, including nausea, dizziness, or contagious infections, you can launch the scenarios to be viewed and interacted with on-screen using a mouse or trackpad.

Remember also that feedback and analytics provided on the OMS Site are to encourage improvement of performance for real life healthcare practice. Do not take analytics and scores on the Site as a full evaluation of your competence or ability. It is best to evaluate performance in OMS Simulations in the greater context of your training, and you may want to seek the guidance of a local instructor or faculty member at your institution to help you manage performance stress.

If you experience feelings of stress arising from the use of OMS Simulations you should refer to any relevant protocols within your organization or report this to your line report or appropriate member of your teaching faculty.