Human Factors and Ergonomics of Prehospital Emergency Care

This book provides an introduction to the field of human factors for individuals who are involved in the delivery and/or improvement of prehospital emergency care and describes opportunities to advance the practical application of human factors research in this critical domain. Relevant theories of human performance, including systems engineering principles, teamwork, training, and decision making are reviewed in light of the needs of current day prehospital emergency care. The primary focus is to expand awareness human factors and outlay the potential for novel and more effective solutions to the issues facing prehospital care and its practitioners.

Joseph R. Keebler, PhD has over 10 years of experience conducting experimental and applied research in human factors, with a specific focus on training and teamwork in military, medical, and consumer domains. Joe currently serves as an assistant professor of human factors and systems at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Joe has led projects aimed at the implementation of human factors in complex, high-risk systems, to increase safety and human performance. This work includes command and control of tele-operated unmanned vehicles, communication and teamwork in medical systems, and development of simulation and gamification of training for advanced skills including playing the guitar and identifying combat vehicles. Joe’s work includes over 50 publications and over 60 presentations at national and international conferences.

Prior to being an Assistant Professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Elizabeth Lazzara received her doctorate in Applied Experimental Human Factors Psychology from the University of Central Florida where she also conducted research at the Institute for Simulation and Training in Orlando, Florida. Although she has had extensive experiences in military, academic, and commercial settings, Dr. Lazzara’s primary interests lie within improving the quality of patient care within the healthcare domain. She strives to make a long lasting and significant impact by examining and advancing the science and practice of clinical care and patient safety issues pertaining to human performance, teamwork, team training, and simulation-based training, and performance measurement.

Paul Misasi has been a paramedic for thirteen years and currently serves as the Clinical Manager for Sedwick County EMS (Kansas). He holds a Master of Science degree in Emergency Health Services from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Bachelor of Science in Health Service Organization & Policy, both from Wichita State University. He is the first paramedic/ ambulance service manager to achieve board certification in patient safety through the National Patient Safety Foundation. Prior to becoming a paramedic, Mr. Misasi began his study in human factors through his flight training and pilot licensure at Oklahoma State University, and is now a third-year doctoral student in human factors psychology at Wichita State University. He is principal developer of the industry-wide "best practice" of the Medication Administration Cross-CheckR protocol, which is under peer-review as the first empirically validated medication verification process.