Ergonomic design of new paramedic response bags (original) (raw)

Task Analysis of Paramedics in the Ambulance Patient Compartment

Advanced Engineering Forum, 2013

An ambulance is designed through the modification of an existing standard vehicle body. By converting, renovating and equipping a standard vehicle body with a patient stretcher, paramedic seats, nearside seats, and related medical equipment, the vehicle becomes an ambulance. Therefore, the requirements and layout of the ambulance interior are constrained by the space available and dimensions of the adopted vehicle. Ambulance occupant protection, safety and ergonomic aspects are usually compromised. High quality and consistent emergency care demand continuous quality improvement and is directly dependent on the effective monitoring, integration, and evaluation of all components of the patients care. Currently, there is no standard or guideline regarding patient compartment layout to help ambulance manufacturers to improve this confine working space. This study aims to assess and evaluate ambulance patient compartment and its effect on the paramedics in performing their tasks. Since t...

The Impact of Gurney Design on Ems Personnel

There are many studies describing the ergonomic benefits of various product interventions, but it is rare to learn about the financial impact of an ergonomic intervention on a company. The objective of this study was to determine the financial impact of two different gurney designs on an emergency medical service. Claims data over a four‐year period was obtained for a service in Northern California through a partnership with a large US emergency medical service provider. Throughout the first two years, the EMS service used gurneys which required EMS professionals to lift and lower patients manually. During the subsequent two-year period, the service replaced the manual gurneys with a fleet of battery powered gurneys capable of being raised and lowered using an activation switch. Results of the pre/post powered gurney installation revealed a 41% decrease in claims paid due to gurney related incidents. Additionally, claims paid associated exclusively with raising and lower gurneys dec...

Remodelling Ofhospital Equipment-Incorporating Experience to Address Patient Comfort and Safety

Background and objectives:- Stretchers may not be the protagonist in a tertiary care hospital but occupies an important place in emergency department as many patients are kept on stretchers to accommodate more patients in the existing space. The purposes of this study was to identify problems related to traditional stretchers and modify its design to make it safe for patients, cost-efficient, user friendly for health care workers & easy to maintain to reduce health care associated infections. Methods:- Information about the existing problems faced with use of stretchers were discussed with the patients, health care workers handling stretchers and nurses of a tertiary care hospital. These were discussed with the Engineering students & vendor. The prototype was made and initially 60 number stretchers were introduced in the hospital. Results:- The problems identified in the traditional design were patients hands use to fell on the side which may have led to injury, difficulty in taking...

Modeling and Simulation for Improving Ambulance Patient Compartment Design Standards

Emergency medical services (EMS) providers riding in ambulance patient compartments, while caring for patients, are at high risk of suffering injuries in case of a vehicle crash or sudden maneuver. One option to reduce this risk is to have providers use seat belts. However, providers have complained that the seat belts make it difficult to reach equipment and supplies necessary to treat patients. Another option is to redesign the layout of the patient compartment to (1) reduce hazards to both providers and patients and (2) improve access to patients, equipment, and supplies. A new design, based on ergonomic guidelines and user design requirements, has been developed. This paper describes the application of modeling and simulation in evaluating the redesign options. Evaluation is based on the effectiveness of the redesign in facilitating the providers' ability to perform a range of clinical care tasks while seated and restrained. Simulation results and subsequent design revisions...