The PHOENIX: Design and Development of a Three-Dimensional-Printed Drone Prototype and Corresponding Simulation Scenario Based on the Management of Cardiac Arrest

Abstract

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) remains one of the most prevalent cardiovascular emergencies in the world. The development of international protocols and the use of accessible devices such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs) allowed for the standardization and organization of medical care related to SCA. When defibrillation is performed within five minutes of starting ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT), the victim survival rate has increased considerably. Therefore, training healthcare professionals to use AEDs correctly is essential to improve patient outcomes and response time in the intervention. In this technical report, we advocate simulation-based education as a teaching methodology and an essential component of drone adaptation, novel technology, that can deliver AEDs to the site, as well as a training scenario to teach healthcare professionals how to operate the real-time communication components of drones and AEDs efficiently. Studies have suggested that simulation can be an effective way to train healthcare professionals. Through teaching methodology using simulation, training these audiences has the potential to reduce the response time to intervention, consequently, increasing the patient's chance of surviving.

Current summary of the evidence in drone-based emergency medical services care

“… 29 , 42 Although still in early testing and simulation phase, emerging technologies such as 3D printed drones, such as the drone developed by Gino et al, for AED transport, could potentially lower total system costs even further. 43 …”

Using the Evidence-Development-Validation-Consensus (EDVC) Approach to Develop and Validate maxSIMdrone: A Training Program for Healthcare Professionals to Provide Cardiac Arrest Care Using Drones

“…Therefore, it is crucial to reduce the time a victim spends without defibrillation to enhance survival rates. Recently, in 2022, researchers from the Ontario Tech University (OTU) and the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University (MUN) in Canada developed a drone equipped with a simulation scenario to teach HCPs how to operate AEDs and to guide LP to use them safely and effectively through basic life support and defibrillation (BLSD) protocols [8]. Nonetheless, before implementing AED delivery systems by drones, it is imperative to train HCPs and LP in these R&R places who will send or receive the devices on their effective and safe usage based on evidence.…”

“…However, teaching HCPs and LP in R&R locations poses significant challenges, particularly in areas such as the north of Canada and the Brazilian Amazon, where HCPs require continuous training and work in remote areas with limited resources, power, and internet access [8]. The Brazilian Amazon presents a unique challenge, as HCPs in the heart of the forest have limited access to resources [6].…”

“…It should focus on developing skills and knowledge in comprehension, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Additionally, it should address emotions, attitudes, physical skills, and coordination, involving perception, mechanism, complex open response, adaptation, and origination [8][9][10].…”

Human Factors in Drone Delivery of Automatic External Defibrillators for Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest: Older Adult Considerations

“…This could signify the value of simulations as tool to improve bystander confidence and knowledge of the drone delivery of AED service. As simulations are a great tool to facilitate training of medical professionals (Gino et al, 2022) they could also serve as a beneficial method to train the general public. these programs should also consider focusing on ensuring high quality CPR.…”