En Route Care in Confined Spaces: Medic Posture Assessment

Abstract

The confined space of common medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) configurations requires strenuous positions and painful postures of Critical Care Flight Paramedics (CCFPs) during patient loading and unloading during en route care. The goal of this study was to identify areas for design improvements or loading techniques to limit awkward or painful postures experienced by the CCFP that may lead to injury or musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). A total of 17 human subjects participated in the study. The subjects were healthy members of the U.S. Army, Reserve, and/or National Guard. Subjects were be dressed in full gear and markered to track body movement. Markers were placed on the head, torso, left arm, and left leg. Before motion trials began, a static trial captured the subjects standing posture. Ten motion trials were be conducted. Six trials were recorded loading and unloading manikins onto the Basic Medical Interior (BMI) and four trials were recorded using the Interim MEDEVAC Mission Support System (IMMSS). Motion data was captured and analyzed to calculate the kinematics of the subjects major body segments. The simulated medics posture was be investigated to identify potentially dangerous postures that are known to lead to injury or MSD. Force estimates were calculated on the data to estimate the force at the L5/S1 vertebral disk. A position evaluation was to be conducted to allow the subjects to state which factors caused the most difficult postures and document their experience, From the position evaluation all he subjects mentioned at least one posture and one area of the body negatively affected. The estimated compressive force calculations were all over the recommend safe lifting limit.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 17, 2022
Accession Number
AD1187782

Entities

People

  • Amy L. Lloyd
  • Jeff J. Molles
  • Joshua Dupuy
  • Kerri Caruso
  • Laura R. Kroening
  • Rachel E. Kinsler

Organizations

  • United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Army Personnel
  • Back Injuries
  • Biomedical Research
  • Combat Casualty Care
  • Data Analysis
  • Department Of Defense
  • Diseases
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Health Services
  • Human Factors Engineering
  • Materials
  • Medical Evacuation
  • Medical Personnel
  • Motion Capture
  • Musculoskeletal System
  • Pain
  • Patient Care
  • Standards
  • Therapy
  • United States
  • Wounds And Injuries

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Materials Science (Mechanical Engineering).
  • Strategic Security Studies
  • Trauma or Military Medicine

Technology Areas

  • Space