Ergonomic design of new paramedic response bags

Yuval Bitan; Scott Ramey; Paul Milgram

doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2019.102890

Ergonomic design of new paramedic response bags

Appl Ergon. 2019 Nov:81:102890. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2019.102890. Epub 2019 Jul 3.

Authors

Yuval Bitan¹, Scott Ramey², Paul Milgram³

Affiliations

¹ Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel; University of Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address: yuval@bitan.net.
² British Columbia Emergency Health Services, BC, Canada.
³ University of Toronto, ON, Canada.

PMID: 31422279
DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2019.102890

Abstract

A two phase project is described for redesigning and evaluating paramedic response bags, one of the key pieces of equipment used by emergency medical services. Adopting a user-centred approach, Phase I involved first educating active service paramedics about ergonomic principles, and then collaborating with them to conceptualise a new type of response bag, based on separate colour coded kits, each containing related equipment items. Phase II describes a formal evaluation study, involving simulated procedures with a patient mannequin and active service paramedics in a real ambulance. Results indicated subjective preferences for the new bags, where 62% of the paramedics believed it was easier to find equipment in the new bag and 65% preferred the new bags overall. No detrimental effects were attributed to the transition to the new bag. Also discussed are the advantages of the participatory design approach, as well as design guidelines and implications for paramedic operations.

Keywords: Emergency medical services; Ergonomic workspace; Paramedic services; Response bags.

Publication types

Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

Adult
Allied Health Personnel / psychology*
Emergency Medical Services*
Equipment Design / methods
Equipment Design / psychology*
Equipment and Supplies*
Ergonomics*
Female
Humans
Male
Personal Satisfaction