Designing ergonomic interventions for EMS workers, Part I: transporting patients down the stairs

Applied Ergonomics
S A LavenderAniruddha K Kohok

Abstract

The objective of the current work was to test ergonomic interventions aimed at reducing the magnitude of trunk muscle exertions in firefighters/paramedics (FFPs) providing emergency medical services (EMS) when transporting patients down the stairs. The interventions, developed using focus groups, were a footstrap to prevent the patient from sliding down on the backboard, a change in the handle configuration on the stairchair, and 2 devices, the "backboard wheeler" and a tank tread-like device (descent control system, DCS) for a stretcher, that change the backboard and stretcher carrying tasks into rolling and sliding tasks. Eleven two-person teams transported a 75 kg dummy with each intervention and its corresponding control condition down a flight of steps. Surface electromyographic (EMG) data were collected from 8 trunk muscles from each participant. Results showed that the backboard footstrap reduced the erector spinae (ERS) activity for the FFP in the "leader" role by 15 percent, on average. The change in handle configuration on the stairchair had no effect on the variables measured. The backboard wheeler reduced the ERS activity bilaterally in the FFP in the leader role and unilaterally for the FFP in the "follower" role, ...Continue Reading

References

Sep 1, 1992·Journal of Orthopaedic Research : Official Publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society·S A LavenderC C Shin
Mar 10, 2000·Applied Ergonomics·S A LavenderP W Johnson
Mar 20, 2003·American Journal of Industrial Medicine·Surrey M WaltonDaniel G Samo

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Citations

Sep 28, 2015·Work : a Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation·Jonathan DropkinHyun Kim
Aug 8, 2015·Ergonomics·Carolyn M SommerichMohini Dutt
Jun 17, 2008·Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology : Official Journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology·R De NooijH J Hermens
Oct 26, 2011·Prehospital Emergency Care : Official Journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians and the National Association of State EMS Directors·Jane H BriceLaurie J Morrison
Apr 15, 2016·International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics : JOSE·Hilma Raimona ZadryDina Rahmayanti
Jan 26, 2017·Prehospital Emergency Care : Official Journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians and the National Association of State EMS Directors·Audrey A ReichardMirinda A Gormley
Feb 28, 2019·International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics : JOSE·Ana ColimAna Cristina Braga
Jan 15, 2019·Prehospital Emergency Care : Official Journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians and the National Association of State EMS Directors·Bronson DuAmin Yazdani
Oct 20, 2020·Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health·Rivi FriedenbergDeborah Alperovitch-Najenson

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