Paramedics' working strategies while loading a stretcher into an ambulance
Type de document
Études primaires
Année de publication
2017
Langue
Anglais
Titre de la revue
Applied Ergonomics
Première page
112
Dernière page
122
Résumé
For paramedics, loading a stretcher into an ambulance is an activity with a high risk of back injury and accidents. The objective of this study was to document strategies paramedics use at work while loading a powered stretcher into an ambulance. A total of 249 stretcher loading operations performed by 58 paramedics, and 51 semistructured post-intervention interviews were analyzed. Almost three quarters of loading operations required additional actions (e.g., raising the shoulders and additional lifting) to insert the stretcher into the cot fastener system in the ambulance. Some strategies that were necessary to complete the stretcher loading operation seemed to have negative impacts on the workers’ health, such as repositioning the stretcher. This action wastes time and requires significant physical efforts, as it is usually done alone. This study suggests some potential solutions, related to equipment, training, workers and work organization, to reduce the risk of injury while loading stretchers.
Mots-clés
Mécanique humaine, Body mechanics, Chargement et déchargement, Loading and unloading, Civière, Stretcher, Ambulance, Transport des blessés, Transport of the injuried, Évaluation du risque, Hazard evaluation, Suggestion de prévention, Safety suggestion
Numéro de projet IRSST
0099-8190
Citation recommandée
Prairie, J., Plamondon, A., Larouche, D., Hegg-Deloye, S. et Corbeil, P. (2017). Paramedics' working strategies while loading a stretcher into an ambulance. Applied Ergonomics, 65, 112-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2017.06.005