The Evaluation of an Ambulance Rear Compartment using Patient Simulation: Issues of Safety and Efficiency during the Delivery of Patient Care

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficiency of a specific ambulance while providers delivered basic and advanced life support. Forty-eight, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) teams were observed delivering care to a simulated patient during an anaphylaxis scenario in a moving ambulance that contained a complete compliment of medical supplies and equipment. A detailed coding system was developed and applied to the audio and video behavioural data. Patterns of interaction among EMS personnel, the patient, equipment and the ambulance interior during the patient simulation scenario were analyzed. The results revealed a number of issues associated with the patient compartment including: potentially unsafe seated and standing positions; hazardous barriers to movement around the patient; difficulties accessing equipment and supplies; and the adequacy of work surfaces and waste disposal. A number of design recommendations are made to guide provider and patient comfort, efficiency and safety.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2019.06.003
• Record URL:
  • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003687018303740
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00036870
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Hallihan, Greg
  • Caird, Jeff K
  • Blanchard, Ian
  • Wiley, Katelyn
  • Martel, Jessica
  • Wilkins, Matt
  • Thorkelson, Brent
  • Plato, Mike
  • Lazarenko, Gerald
• Publication Date: 2019-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Serial:
  • Applied Ergonomics
  • Volume: 81
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0003-6870
  • EISSN: 1872-9126
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00036870

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Ambulances; Human factors engineering; Patients; Simulation; Vehicle compartments; Vehicle design
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01714161
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 21 2019 9:35AM