Enhancing Emergency Medical Services with Smart Glasses Technology for Optimal Ambulance Positioning in Simulated Critical Patient Care Scenarios.

PURPOSE

To implement smart glasses with augmented reality distance measuring technologies in conventional self-assessment techniques, to improve ambulance location accuracy during simulated emergency scenarios.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eighty-two emergency medical services professionals participated in this simulation-based study at Srinagarind Hospital, Thailand. Participants positioned ambulances in simulated chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) and non-CBRNE scenarios using traditional self-assessment methods, followed by positioning using smart glasses technology after a 120-minute training session. Smart glasses equipped with a measurement-augmented reality application were utilized. Positioning accuracy was assessed.

RESULTS

The participants had a median age of 36.1 years, with males comprising the majority (63.4%). Emergency nurse practitioners and students constituted the largest group (56.1%). Most participants (51.1%) reported over a decade of EMS experience. Smart glasses technology significantly improved positioning accuracy in both scenario types (p<0.001). In CBRNE scenarios, accuracy increased from 47.6% with self-assessment to 83.3% with smart glasses. In non-CBRNE scenarios, accuracy improved from 66.7% to 83.8%.

CONCLUSION

Smart glasses technology with augmented reality distance measurement capabilities substantially enhances ambulance positioning accuracy, particularly in complex CBRNE scenarios. The technology's ability to standardize performance across emergency types, and potentially across responder experience levels, suggests significant value for improving emergency medical service delivery, patient care, and responder safety.