Performance of Selected Fabrics on the Decontaminable Litter and Litter Mattressto Correct a Problem of Unexpected Sliding during Patient Loading on a C-9 (Nightingale) Aircraft

摘要

During evaluation of the decontaminable litter, Air Force personnel noted that apatient laying on a vinyl litter mattress slid unexpectedly while being carried up a 19 degree loading ramp of the C-9 (Nightingale) aircraft. To address this problem, a number of selected materials were fabricated into litter and mattress covers. The slipperiness of each product was measured by placing a subject on the test litter with or without a test mattress, elevating one end of the litter until the subject began to slide, and measuring the incline (slide) angle. The data show that the vinyl mattress will slide on the polypropylene mesh cover of a decontaminable litter at 16-17 degrees, whereas the same mattress on the cotton duck cover of the standard litter will slide at 23 degrees. The cotton duck cover has been replaced with nylon duck which is as slippery as the polypropylene mesh; and it generates a noticeable static electric charge when the vinyl mattress rubs against it. The problems of sliding and static electricity were significantly reduced by replacing the vinyl cover of the mattress with a commercial hospital grade fabric ('LECTROLITE(r)) that is electroconductive and antislip. No fabric for the litter cover performed as well as cotton duck in this study however, a polypropylene honeycomb material would be a better alternative to the in nylon duck. Litter, Mattress, Evacuation, Fabric.