Federal Request for Input on Ambulance Safety

[firedude 985]

Just thought I'd pass this allong...

Here's an opportunity for front line folks to have some real input into ambulance design. The National Institute for Standards and Technology(NIST) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) opened an online survey for EMTs and medics who provide patient care in the back of ambulances. As safety engineers work to design restraint systems to protect providers in the event of a crash, input from street level EMS providers is critical to achieve a balance between safety and ability to provide patient care. The

survey will be open until December 28, 2011 and can be accessed here. The more folks take the survey, the better represented the end users will be.

From DHS/FEMA/NIST:

November 29, 2011

EMS practitioners riding in the back of ambulances are at high risk of suffering injuries during a crash or crash avoidance maneuver when not using restraints. However, using restraints makes it difficult to access and treat patients while en route to the hospital. Achieving a balance between practitioner safety and patient care is a significant challenge for the EMS community.

To address this challenge, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Human Factors and Behavioral Sciences Division (HFD) and the First Responders Resource Group (FRRG) has partnered with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to develop design guidance for ambulance patient compartments that address crashworthiness, EMS practitioner safety and performance, and patient safety. The guidance will provide crucial information for EMS organizations and ambulance manufacturers to design safer patient compartments that can help EMS practitioners optimize their ability to perform patient care. The guidance will be incorporated into current and emerging ambulance design standards such as NFPA 1917.

Please provide your input by completing an anonymous web survey. This survey is extremely important so that a wide cross-section of EMTs and paramedics can have their say in the development of the design guidelines. This survey will be available from November 29 through December 28, 2011. Please encourage all your colleagues to take the survey as well.

If you have any questions or would like to participate further, please contact Darren Wilson at darren.wilson@dhs.gov or Jennifer Marshall at jennifer.marshall@nist.gov

Survey Info

Survey

Edited December 5, 2011 by firedude

[firedude 985]

If you haven't already, make sure you take the survey!

NIST Asks All EMS Professionals to Take Survey on Ambulance Patient Compartment Safety

11/30/2011 5:08:09 PM

EMS practitioners riding in the back of ambulances are at high risk of suffering injuries during a crash or crash avoidance maneuver when not using restraints. However, using restraints makes it difficult to access and treat patients while en route to the hospital. Achieving a balance between practitioner safety and patient care is a significant challenge for the EMS community.

Full Artilce from naemt.org

Edited December 9, 2011 by firedude