Reviewing ambulance design for clinical efficiency and paramedic safety

This study aimed to review the layout of the patient compartment in a UK ambulance for paramedic efficiency and safety using: (1) link analysis; (2) postural analysis. Paramedics were observed over 16 shifts (130 h) carrying out a range of clinical tasks. The most frequently occurring clinical tasks were checking blood oxygen saturation, oxygen administration, monitoring the heart and checking blood pressure. Access to the equipment and consumables to support these tasks had been designed for the attendant seat (head end of the stretcher), however, a link analysis found that paramedics preferred to sit along side the stretcher which resulted in increased reach distances. The higher frequency tasks were found to include over 40% of working postures which required corrective measures. It was concluded that future ambulance design should be based on an ergonomics analysis (including link analysis and postural analysis) of clinical activities.