VALS Performance Goals
Performance goals should be viewed as an aid to independent practice, and the VALS goals below are based on goals previously presented by Ritter & Scott (2007) and by Scott and coworkers (2008), 2 but adapted in some cases to VALS specific equipment. If the trainee have reached the below skill levels, he or she is highly likely to pass the VALS test
Peg transfer
- Proficiency time 60 seconds
- Allowable errors: No drops outside field of view
- Number of repetitions required: 2 consecutive + 10 nonconsecutive
Pattern cut
- Proficiency time 98 seconds
- Allowable errors: All cuts within 2 mm of line
- Number of repetitions required: 2 consecutive
Ligature loop
- Proficiency time 53 seconds
- Allowable errors: Up to 1-mm accuracy error allowed. Knot must be secure.
- Number of repetitions required: 2 consecutive
Extra-corporeal suturing
- Proficiency time 136 seconds
- Allowable errors: Up to 1-mm accuracy error allowed. Knot must be secure.
- Number of repetitions required: 2 consecutive
Intra—corporeal suturing
- Proficiency time 112 seconds
- Allowable errors: Up to 1-mm accuracy error allowed. Knot must be secure.
- Number of repetitions required: 2 consecutive + 10 nonconsecutive