Ergonomic Evaluation of the Ambulance Interior to Reduce Paramedic Discomfort and Posture Stress

Gilad, Issachar; Byran, Eyal

doi:10.1518/001872007x249884

Cited by 35 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Research on ambulance-crash-related injuries has shown that EMS workers riding in the patient compartment of the ambulance wear their seat belt less than 50 percent of the time (Smith, 2003). This was confirmed by surveys conducted by Gilad and Byran (2007), in which only 3 percent of EMS workers reported always wearing their seatbelt.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 58%

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Improving Restraint Feasibility through Ambulance Layout Redesign

Mueller

Hoyt

Stanley

2013

Proceedings of the 7th International Driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training, and Vehicle Design : Dr

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Summary: This study examined the duties performed by emergency medical service workers with the goal of increasing the time EMS workers are restrained while providing patient care during transport. An optimal layout of equipment and materials in the rear patient cabin of an ambulance was created increase seatbelt restraint feasibility for working medics. Over 13,000 EMS agency call logs were evaluated to identify medical procedures frequently performed during patient transports, which were then filmed and analyzed using Pareto and link analysis to measure restraint feasibility. An alternative ambulance layout was developed following focus group meetings, and the adjusted tasks restraint feasibilities were calculated for the alternative layout. Restraint feasibility was significantly increased for the 5 th percentile female, 50 th percentile male, and 95 th percentile male anthropometric populations. The proposed patient compartment design increased overall restraint feasibility from 47 percent to 90 percent. The proposed design would increase safety for medics and patients during patient transports by increasing the number of tasks that could be performed from a belted and seated position. OBJECTIVESAmbulance-crash-related injuries to emergency medical service (EMS) workers could be greatly reduced if medics were restrained more often while riding in the patient compartment. With so many factors affecting the likelihood of an ambulance crash, there is no definitive means of reducing crash risk. This study examined the duties performed by EMS workers with the goal of increasing their restraint time. Work inefficiencies were considered to develop an improved layout for the ambulance patient compartment. BACKGROUND

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…Another factor contributing to low restraint compliance is that the seat used by paramedics is often in a poor location for providing patient care (Gilad and Byran, 2007). If the medic must access equipment on the far wall, he or she may need to lean over the patient or kneel at the side of the cot.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Restraint Feasibility through Ambulance Layout Redesign

Mueller

Hoyt

Stanley

2013

Proceedings of the 7th International Driving Symposium on Human Factors in Driver Assessment, Training, and Vehicle Design : Dr

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“…The importance of workplace dimensions and the interaction between the environment and the human factor was approached by [12]. They showed that awkward and uncomfortable body postures are adopted as a result of the workspace layout and dimensions.…”

Section: Biomechanical Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Ergonomic Design: Experimental Studies of Multi-Task Vehicle

Byran¹,

Gilad²,

Oxman³

2013

AFF

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Abstract:The design of off-road vehicles is complicated. Particularly when the driving, is accompanied with another task, simultaneously (e.g. plowing). Such a complex environment may lead to human error and end up with an accident. In Australia, 20-25 percent of vehicle accidents' casualties are from off-road accidents. The literature suggests three combined and important aspects, in vehicle design: vision control, anthropometrical fitting and biomechanical considerations. No study is found which supports an off-road vehicle design from all three aspects together. In addition, the extensive use of computer aided design (CAD) in the vehicles' design stages, produce only qualitative results. This study presents a pioneering experimental ergonomic research, of an off-road cabin design. The research inquires the three aspects,combined, generating quantitative results. These results produce a better fitted design to the operator and his operational needs, which help the engineer to design a cabinthat may lead to less strenuous sitting postures and fatigue.

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“…Ferreira and Hignett reviewed the layout of the patient compartment of a British ambulance; they found that future patient compartment design should consider health, comfort and performance [6]. Gilad and Byran found a clear association between perception of subjective discomfort inside the ambulance and common variables [7]. Their findings showed that the interior design was based primarily on spatial use with little concern for ergonomics.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%