-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to develop a method for evaluating accessibility of medical equipment for patients with disabilities.
The researchers reviewed videotapes of patient-participants with various physical and sensory disabilities using different types of medical equipment. For each of 11 videotapes, four observers independently identified and documented access and safety barriers, such as physical, sensory, cognitive, and environmental barriers. Inter-observer variability for identifying barrier presence was assessed with kappa statistics for pairs of observers.
A list of 10 access and safety barriers was developed through an iterative consensus process, which identified design features of medical equipment that presented difficulties for participants with disabilities. The list is useful for identifying and categorizing accessibility problems found in equipment. While reliability of barrier identification was substantial or moderate for some barriers, reconciliation of barrier events identified by multiple video observers is recommended for optimal results.
Applied ergonomics 12/2010; 42(1):178-83. · 1.11 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The purpose was to evaluate accessibility of typical radiology platforms by participants with mobility disabilities.
These patients have difficulty using radiology equipment and have an increased risk of falling.
This field study evaluated three common types of radiology platforms - X ray, computed tomography (CT) scan, and fluoroscopy - by 20 patients/participants with mobility impairments who used walking aids. The participants were required to get onto the equipment, simulate a typical radiological procedure, and get off. Each participant then watched a video of his or her own session and answered questions. Four researchers independently reviewed the videotapes and identified accessibility and safety barriers.
Overall, the CT scan platform was the easiest to use and the fluoroscopy platform the most difficult, primarily because of platform height differences. Sitting up on the Xray table was rated as difficult by most participants, primarily because of a lack of hand-holds and the surface pad not being fixed in place. Maintaining a position on the fluoroscopy platform while it rotated from horizontal to vertical was difficult and frightening for most participants.
Some radiology platforms are difficult to use and are perceived to be less safe for patients with mobility disabilities. The interaction of patient disability and equipment design can impose substantial physical demands on medical personnel. Recommendations for improved design are provided to enhance radiology platform accessibility and safety.
The findings may be applicable to the design of a wide range of medical patient platforms.
Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 11/2008; 50(5):801-10. · 1.19 Impact Factor
-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The Mobile Usability Lab (MU-Lab) is a tool developed by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Accessible Medical Instrumentation (RERC-AMI) to study the accessibility and usability of medical devices by people with diverse abilities. The system includes a suite of data collection hardware components and a custom software interface to help coordinate problem identification and planning as well as data collection and analysis for usability and accessibility research of medical devices. Hardware components include a laptop computer, data acquisition card, video cameras, quad video processor and wireless microphones. Software components include a customized Web-based usability suite, real-time data collection package and several video editing and data analysis tools.
Conference proceedings: ... Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Conference 02/2004; 7:4920-3.
