A biomechanical and subjective comparison of two powered ambulance cots

Sommerich, Carolyn M.; Lavender, Steven A.; Umar, Radin Zaid Radin; Li, Jing; Park, Sang‐Hyun; Dutt, Mohini

doi:10.1080/00140139.2015.1039604

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(17 reference statements)

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“…as well as individual factors (such as current wrist health condition) is expected to provide a higher sensitivity of measure. The proposed system is partly inspired by the well-established use of EMG ergonomics assessment method such as from Sommerich et al [43,44] and Lavender et al [45] , which evaluates the individual capacity through normalization of real time muscle activity data over the maximum voluntary exertion. Normalizing data to maximum capacity may provide a higher sensitivity to capture development of WMSDs risks due to individual factors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Architecture Development of Wrist Range-of-Motion (ROM) System to Assess and Monitor Wrist Postural Behaviours at Workplace: An Exploratory Study

Zaid¹,

Nadiah²,

Isa³

et al. 2019

JESTR

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Poor wrist postures due to work requirements is one of the established risk factors contributing to the development of workrelated musculoskeletal disorders. This study systematically investigates the underlying hypothesis that identification and monitoring of poor wrist postures at work should be in the function of normalized wrist range-of-motion (ROM) instead of the traditional measurement of absolute wrist angle. This three-stage study looks into 1) existing issues related to current workplace wrist postural assessment methods, 2) development of a new architecture to assess and monitor wrist posture at work, and 3) qualitative review with ergonomics practitioners on the architecture. The first stage utilizes literature review and interview with ergonomics practitioners. Generative collaboration method was used to generate the architecture for the second stage. The third stage employs semi-structured interview with ergonomics practitioners. Several issues were identified in current wrist postural assessment methods. A conceptual architecture of the Wrist ROM System to assess and monitor wrist postural behaviors at workplace is proposed in this manuscript. The architecture was generally well received by the practitioners. The architecture provides the groundwork in the development of a technological system designed as a tool to analyze workplace wrist postural behaviors.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Architecture Development of Wrist Range-of-Motion (ROM) System to Assess and Monitor Wrist Postural Behaviours at Workplace: An Exploratory Study

Zaid¹,

Nadiah²,

Isa³

et al. 2019

JESTR

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“…Use of electrically powered cots has been shown to decrease injury rates and WC claims . Electrically powered cots are most successful when the cots eliminate all weight‐bearing requirements on the part of the EMS worker . While powered cots can reduce the potential for worker overexertion when lifting and lowering, and during ambulance loading and unloading, they are also notably heavier than non‐powered cots .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Workers' compensation injury claims among workers in the private ambulance services industry—Ohio, 2001–2011

Reichard

Al‐Tarawneh

Konda

et al. 2018

American J Industrial Med

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Background Ambulance service workers frequently transfer and transport patients. These tasks involve occupational injury risks such as heavy lifting, awkward postures, and frequent motor vehicle travel. Methods We examined Ohio workers’ compensation injury claims among state‐insured ambulance service workers working for private employers from 2001 to 2011. Injury claim counts and rates are presented by claim types, diagnoses, and injury events; only counts are available by worker characteristics. Results We analyzed a total of 5882 claims. The majority were medical‐only (<8 days away from work). The overall injury claim rate for medical‐only and lost‐time cases was 12.1 per 100 full‐time equivalents. Sprains and strains accounted for 60% of all injury claims. Overexertion from patient handling was the leading injury event, followed by motor vehicle roadway incidents. Conclusions Study results can guide the development or improvement of injury prevention strategies. Focused efforts related to patient handling and vehicle incidents are needed.

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“…Studies related to cot design generally supported powered over manual features (26,27), cot legs that folded individually rather than simultaneously (10,28,29), and handles that were designed for both grip and comfort (30). Although powered cots were expensive, heavy and could not be used in many environments, their implementation reduced stretcher-related injuries by over 70% (26,27).…”

Section: Cotsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although powered cots were expensive, heavy and could not be used in many environments, their implementation reduced stretcher-related injuries by over 70% (26,27). However, for EMS services that did not have the funding for powered cots, manual cots with legs that retracted independently required less lifting forces and effort because the non-retracted leg could support a large proportion of the cot's weight while (un)loading (28,29). Lastly, the specific shape, material and texture of the cot's handles should be considered to reduce pressure points while ensuring sufficient grip (30).…”

Section: Cotsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Depending on whether or not the ambulance had a powered loader, variations in the design of the powered cot affected physical demands. For example, when a powered loader was not present, powered cots with legs that fold independently required less forces to (un)load compared with powered cots with legs that fold simultaneously (similar to manual cots) (28). However, when used in combination with powered loaders, powered cots with legs that folded simultaneously required even less exertion (50).…”

Section: State Of Patient Handing Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Existing Science on Human Factors and Ergonomics in the Design of Ambulances and EMS Equipment

Du¹,

Boileau²,

Wierts³

et al. 2019

Prehospital Emergency Care

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Background: Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel face a disproportionally high risk for fatality and injury due to the nature of their work; and current ambulance and EMS equipment design standards do not adequately safeguard EMS personnel from sacrificing personal safety for patient care, a known human factors and ergonomic (HFE) design challenge. Despite the desire to include HFE interventions or considerations into a standard, the effectiveness of existing HFE interventions for EMS is unclear. Objective: Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize the peer-reviewed literature on the design features of patient compartments and EMS equipment that affect EMS personnel's performance or well-being. Methods: A scoping review methodology was applied to systematically search and screen for relevant articles, and extract data. Three databases (EmBase, Scopus and PubMed) were searched, and search results were screened for articles that pertained to the performance or well-being of EMS personnel when interacting with the patient compartment or its associated equipment. Results and Discussion: Of the 4125 search results, 48 relevant articles were retained, and then sorted into one of three categories: general design, patient handling, and patient transport. It was concluded that, although research has progressed over the past 15 years, more research, development, and resources are needed. Newer generations of ambulances have not been shown to be safer during collisions and there is a knowledge gap in how occupants and contents of a patient compartment behave during a collision. Crash-tests have been performed with restrained occupants and supplies, however, that scenario is unrealistic in the field. While the existing literature provided initial ideas and innovations for improving the HFE of patient

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A biomechanical and subjective comparison of two powered ambulance cots

Cited by 12 publications

References 14 publications

Architecture Development of Wrist Range-of-Motion (ROM) System to Assess and Monitor Wrist Postural Behaviours at Workplace: An Exploratory Study

Architecture Development of Wrist Range-of-Motion (ROM) System to Assess and Monitor Wrist Postural Behaviours at Workplace: An Exploratory Study

Workers' compensation injury claims among workers in the private ambulance services industry—Ohio, 2001–2011

Existing Science on Human Factors and Ergonomics in the Design of Ambulances and EMS Equipment

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