Authors:
Carine Malle
1
;
Alban De Luca
2
and
Thierry Chevallier
3
;
4
;
5
Affiliations:
1
Direction of Training, Research and Innovation, French Defence Health Service, 1 Place Alphonse Laveran, 75005 Paris, France
;
2
Archeon, 2 Chemin des Aiguillettes, 25000 Besançon, France
;
3
Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Public Health and Innovation in Methodology (BESPIM), CHU Nîmes, Place du Pr. Robert Debré, 30029 Nîmes, France
;
4
UMR 1302, Institute Desbrest of Epidemiology and Public Health, INSERM, Univ. Montpellier, Montpellier, France
;
5
Tech4Health-FCRIN, France
Keyword(s):
Extreme Conditions, Medical Devices, Aeromedical Evacuation, Mechanical Ventilation.
Abstract:
Pre-hospital emergency medicine sometimes involves taking care of patients in environments far different from the hospital. Cold, heat, humidity, altitude, wind, etc. put human beings and equipment to a severe test. What are the extreme conditions to which pre-hospital emergency medicine professionals are exposed? What types of medical devices are particularly concerned? What are the regulations and standards in force? What are the impacts of exposure to extreme conditions on medical devices? To answer these questions, we rely on an analysis of the regulatory and normative context, on a scientific literature review and on a case study involving mechanical ventilation at altitude. Finally, we share some thoughts and advice intended for health facilities and users, in order to improve practices in terms of selection, use and monitoring of medical devices exposed to extreme conditions. This document is illustrated with examples concerning the French defence health service, but our appro
ach can be applied to any entity concerned with pre-hospital emergency medicine.
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