From
the interactions I've had with many METI users, there's a high level of
frustration when it comes
to developing scenarios. The HPS system is very complicated, but I
happen to be a true believer. I
wasn't always. In fact, I started out very skeptical, but after some
training in Sarasota and applying
my own creativity I'm convinced the HPS is an excellent platform, but
it requires some work to make
the most of it. Every simulator on the market has it's own strengths
and weaknesses. It's up to us
to apply our own creative processes to make the best of what we have.
After all, they are only machines
trying to simulate one of the most complex organisms on earth, the
human body. Here's an advanced
programming tip that could make your work much easier. How
many of you METI users
have found yourself wishing you had left an open state in the middle of
your scenario that you could
program for an unforeseen condition? As you METI users know, you can't
insert a Newstate in the middle
of a scenario. At least that's true when using the HPS software. You
can, however, insert blank states
using Text Editor. First and foremost, MAKE A
BACKUP COPY! Do NOT experiment
on a scenario you already have developed until you're confident with
this approach. I'm posting two
files in Word format to demonstrate the process. This is an ultra
simplistic scenario created for
the purpose of demonstrating this procedure. File 1 is a Sinus
Bradycardia with Hypotension scenario.
File 2 is the same scenario with the inserted blank state. No bells or
whistles in this example. There
are just three states, "Baseline" (unaltered), "Sinus Bradycardia" and
"Paced". However, suppose you
wanted to insert a "Worsening" state between Sinus Brady and Paced.
Here's a very simple way to do
that. First, create a new blank state at the
end the scenario then save the
scenario. Click on the "Mac OS X Drive" icon on your desktop. Then
click "Users", then "Shared", then
the folder that contains the file. This will open a list of all the
scenarios in that file. Double
click on the file you want to edit. Again, DO NOT alter the original
file. Work from a backup file.
When you double click the file, it will open in Text Editor. Each state
will appear as a paragraph
with two blank lines above and below the paragraph. Now, all you need
to do is cut the bottom paragraph
titled Newstate4 and paste it where you want it. Make sure you leave
two blank lines above and below
the new paragraph, no more, no less. Save the file, then open it back
up with the HPS software. If
all went well, you should see a blank state where you just pasted it. If
you have any doubts about the safety of this procedure, DON'T DO IT!
Feel free to contact METI's training
division and ask their advice. I highly recommend taking the METI
Advanced Training Course for your
particular simulator platform in order to get the absolute most from
your METI simulators. I hope
this helps. When you save your new file in Text Editor, a dialogue box will appear stating that the file already has a .hs6 extension, and do you want to append the file with .txt. Click on "Do Not Append". This way you'll be able to use the file with the HPS software. Originally posted on SSIH Forum "Tricks of the Trade" http://www.ssih.org/SSIH/SSIH/eGroups/Message/Default.aspx?MID=433 |