Efficacy and Usability of Patient Isolation Transport Module for CBRN Disaster : A Manikin Simulation Study

Abstract

In Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) disaster, integrated and optimized equipment package including stretcher, isolation unit, patient monitoring and treatment equipment is essential to achieve proper treatment and prevent secondary contamination. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and ease of use of integrated CBRN disaster equipment package for disaster medical response. This study was a randomized crossover study using a manikin simulation for emergency medical technitian (EMT). All participants used the existing devices and prototype of integrated CBRN disaster equipment package alternately. Efficiency was measured by time from vital sign change to detection or treatment application. Ease was use was measured by questionnaires for each patient monitor, stretcher care and isolation unit. 12 EMTs were enrolled. hypoxia-detection time of integrated equipment group was significantly shorter than existing equipment group (4.9 s (3.8-3.9) vs 3.5 s (2.5-3.9), p < 0.05). There was decreasing tendency of ECG change detection and facial mask oxygen supply but no statistical significance was observed. Overall satisfaction of patient monitoring device in integrated equipment group was significantly higher than existing devices (4(3.5-5) vs 3(3-3), p < 0.05). The use of integrated CBRN disaster equipment package shortened the hypoxia detection time and improved usability of vital sign monitor compared to existing devices.