Author Archives: Scott Orman

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About Scott Orman

Emergency Medicine Specialist, Auckland Hospital; Auckland HEMS Doctor

Usability testing of new Auckland HEMS packs

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By Dr Chris Denny, Auckland HEMS Medical Director

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New packs for Auckland HEMS

In the early days of Auckland HEMS, we loosely ‘bolted on’ our equipment to the existing paramedic gear. As time passed and we forged a strong collaborative relationship with our paramedic colleagues, the performance gap in our gear required a solution. One year ago we held an ‘Ergonomic Equipment Exercise’, led by Dr. Samantha Bendall (on sabbatical from Sydney, NSW). From this evening of pack testing we learned to focus on integration. Several design concepts guided our work:

a) Functional coherence
b) Facilitation of communication
c) Facilitation of task accomplishment
d) Adaptable space
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We are now testing our prototype packs.
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This testing will move through three phases:
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Phase I: ‘Kicking the tyres”
Phase II: Simulation-based usability testing (carrying the packs, winching the packs, airway tasks, vascular access tasks, splinting tasks,…)
Phase III: Live operational testing
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Here is a valuable website: www.usability.gov
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ARHT paramedic Rob Gemmell winches with one of the packs

ARHT paramedic Rob Gemmell winches with one of the packs

We are very keen to learn from the HEMS community. What are other services using? What works? What is the future of PHARM medical equipment going to look like?

Please share your thoughts using the ‘comments’ section below, or the  ‘contact’ button on the home page of this site.

Auckland HEMS app under development

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In the last few days there has been talk on the twittersphere about retrieval apps.

First mock-up - content required!

First mock-up – content required!

Auckland HEMS is currently developing an app for use in our service. For the first iteration we have chosen a DIY web-based application (ibuildapp.com) to create the app. Examples of features that we can (in theory) include are:

  • text and image pages for checklists, SOPs, and paediatric resuscitation formulae
  • custom HTML forms for job debriefs, RSI audits etc – these can be filled in on the phone and then emailed to a designated collection person
  • live displays of webpages including aucklandHEMS.com, weather/tide information
  • live display of a google calendar for HEMS training and events
  • a personal training log for clinicians

Clearly offline functionality will be essential – 3G coverage on the far side of Great Barrier Island may be patchy at best…!

Custom html form - for job debrief

Custom html form – for job debrief

The current plan is to build the app online and test it through the online iPhone simulator prior to testing on devices and eventually distributing it through the app store.

Currently we hope to create a relatively simple (and advertisement-free) version 1.0, test it, and refine it into a more functional version 2.0 which may require input from a professional app developer (and no doubt some $..)

An excellent podcast from SMACC 2013 about medical app development can be found HERE.

Do any readers of this blog have any experience with app development? Please feel free to share pearls and pitfalls using the comments section below.

We will keep you posted on how this project progresses – watch this space!

Auckland HEMS – the first two years

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This slideshow, assembled by Dr Chris Denny, shows the ARHT & Auckland HEMS team during the first two years of the HEMS initiative. It was presented at a recent strategic planning meeting to plot the future course of the service. The gentleman whose photo is shown at the start is the late Dr Robin Mitchell, a UK-trained emergency physician who was instrumental in laying the groundwork for Auckland HEMS.

Enjoy!

(and rest assured no mannequins were harmed in the making of this slideshow… sort of…)