New resuscitation trolley: stages in development

Current resuscitation trolleys represent the major weakness in the conduct of resuscitations for medical emergencies because they are generally not complete or standardized and lack a logical and systematic layout of equipment and drugs. This paper is the first to define the main design principles to which an ergonomically better trolley should adhere.

The logistics of getting the concept of developing a new resuscitation trolley accepted by the hospital and the subsequent manufacture of a prototype is described. Delays are analysed, and a detailed plan for the introduction and trial of the prototype which stipulated areas of responsibility is discussed. Assessment is by means of assessment sheets and fortnightly meetings between participating departments.

This paper limits discussion to the period prior to clinical trials and highlights the difficulties encountered and the time taken to produce a prototype resuscitation trolley for evaluation.