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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


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.





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