EMT. A shirt with built in back support for EMTs.

Transcription

1 by A shirt with built in back support for s.

2 by A shirt with built in back support for s. An Emergency Medical Technician is a skilled medical professional who responds by ambulance to medical emergencies for the injured and ill. Area of Common Injury INSIGHTS THE JOB System status is most common. *The ambulance is the station and will wait for a call from dispatch. Usually two s per ambulance. Most will work for 24 hrs taking 25 minute naps while paged to move to different locations. On an average day, s will sit in the ambulance waiting for calls for 6-7 hrs. THE LOCATION Serve mostly houses, mobile homes, and small buildings with no elevators and narrow staircases. MOST PATIENTS Are over weight, and need assistance to the dialysis center or the nursing facility. CAUSE upper back Carry weight. defibrillator Heart monitor 45 lbs lower back Support a person s weight drug box 25lbs AFFECT From Carrying & lifting, Bending & leaning over, Pulling & sliding patient, Making lateral movement, Sitting in vehicle, Twisting while lifting. The average person 2 s carry is 350 lbs, 12 x a day. That is 2,100 lbs a day for one person; the weight of a small car. DESIGN OPPORTUNITY Human bodies are NOT designed to lift with the back muscles. The required heavy lifting of medical equipment and patients up and down flights of stairs, places all s at risk for experiencing frequent back injuries. The main reason for chronic back pain is due to the fact that human bodies are not designed for lateral movement of lifting and twisting with the back.

3 RESEARCH EXPERT INTERVIEWS Our tools need to allow us to adjust to any situation. Any device we use must be lightweight, easily packable, and stable to transport the patient. 1st is our own safety, 2nd is the safety of the crew, 3rd is the safety of the public, 4th is the safety of the patient. We cannot let their problem become ours, it is important that I don t become the patient. Objective: Keep an open point of view while observing the life of an and identify key insights to design opportunities. P: Captain Eric South Pasadena Fire Dept. Medical situations can change quickly, and s need to asjust as quickly as they change. Once an is injured, he or she can no longer help the public efficiently. : Peter Ledford Vasalia EMS Coordinator: Greg Anderson Glendale Fire Dept. Buildings around Glendale have narrow staircases and no elevators, we have to carry the patient down. Aluminum gurneys mark the uniforms, keeping them clean is a challenge. s will do anything they can to help the public, but it is also important for them to always look clean and professional in the public s eye. What helps is climbing onto the bed to lift the patient; but there is always the risk of slipping and falling. I prefer an injury from falling because it is less painful than a back injury. In most situations, there is no room for s to bend their knees and lift with their legs; lifting with their back is a high risk. : Tom Champion Vasalia EMS Injured back while working; was out for eight months. Has returned to work, pain continues, doesn t wear a back brace. Research Methods: -Station Visits -Hospital Visits -Private EMS interviews - interviews - Captain interviews -Phone interviews -Observations Paramedics Eddie & Sarah Glendale Fire Dept. Some patients become combatant or puke on you. We are always twisting and lifting with our backs, it is The chair weighs 50 lbs, plus the weight of a 200 lb person is hard on their back. EQUIPMENT Med Bag 1, Bandage Bag, Med Bag 2, Backboard, Oxygen Tank PRODUCT TESTING extremely difficult to Testing back DATA COLLECTED stabilize the patient while brace for Hot two days. Bulky climbing stairs. Pinches Ribs Too Ridged Uncomfortable All Day Summary: After it was evident the common area of injury involved the lower back, I then formulated my interviews to focus on the specific functions of the duties that required lifting and twisting with the lower back muscles.

4 MARKET & PRODUCT COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS Creates tools for Surgeons, Nurses, s - Creates surgery tools. - Transport equipment. Opportunity: To create a back support unit that prevents injury at the highest level. EMS Patient Handling and Mortuary - Focuses on patient transportation and recovery. Basic Sport Back Guards Bulky and are worn over clothing. Hardware Tools & Equipment Makes back braces to recover from an injury. Sport Care and Recovery - Offers safety kits and packages. Personal Protective Equipment - Makes basic braces for recovery placing them in pharmacies. A sub brand of 3M - Makes braces and pain relievers. Dual Adjustable Back Support - Beige Too soft. Neoprene blend Industrial Work Belt Visible and distracting. Makes the user look weak. Advanced PREMIUM Most back braces restrict the body from movement. Deluxe Back Stabilizer Helps alleviate pain and discomfort Does NOT help prevent injury. Dual strap system stabilizes lower backsupports abdominal muscles Is NOT flexible and supports abdominal muscles and not back muscles. ANTIMICR OBIAL Protective Equipment for Outdoor sports (hard shell) A sub brand of 3M - Available in pharmacies. Summary: Current back braces focus on recovery and rehabilitation. Back Support with Magnets Magnets do not support when lifting weight. Waist Trimmer Focuses on appearance only. Back Brace Rigid stays for support and stability to the back Rigid and not flixible. Neoprene blend Worn under clothing and is not quickly adjustable. Multi-Purpose Back Support Rigid stays for maximum support Rigid and not flexible, limiting mobility.

5 CLAMP Turn wheel to tighten shirt Dé vuelta a la rueda para apretar la camisa Press button to loosen fit Apretar el botón para aflojar el ajuste The artificial spine adjusts to tighten the lower back as you bend Turn wheel to tighten shirt before lifting Tighten to lift and carry USER SCENARIO PRODUCT SPECS [Upper] Sprayed with a repellant against body fluids. Upper air vent Majority Upper: Bamboo fiber material. Consistent closure system Polypropylene Wire Lacing System. Clamp to secure in place Back spring: Two dual density polyurethane strips. Loosen to sit With BOA Lacing System Technology Side panels: Lycra. Press button to loosen fit when seated By reducing back injuries, s are able to better serve more patients.

6 PRODUCT BENEFITS Invisible Pocket Hook & Loop Removable Name Tag Boa Lacing System Technology Consistent Seam Closure Clearly Visible Company Name Breathable Vents on: Collar Arms Back Rigid & Flexible Back Support Unit Authoritative Trust by A shirt with built in back support for s. Outdoor Protection Athletic Fit