Colour Red. Suitable for Hospital wash temperatures and bleach conditions and includes limited FR characteristics. Standard size 188cm x 76cm with two encompassing straps 50mm wide, made from highest quality flexible soft webbing.

Extended "ladder" handles for pulling with three pull positions. Ladder webbing material carried through full length to avoid any strain on base material. High quality, "push insert, press release" chrome steel buckles. Stowage pockets for all webbing.

The EVAC-SHEET embodies wide-ranging forward concepts for ease of deployment, safety, neatness and cleanliness and incorporates advanced mechanical handling concepts. User input in later development stages has resulted in a product very high degree of "user-friendliness". The EVAC-SHEET is unquestionably the most technically advanced and cost- effective product of its type on the market

The EVAC-Sheet is placed directly under the mattress of a patient's bed and is easily accessible by a trained staff member. Once deployed, the EVAC-Sheet cocoons the patient and mattress together along with any IV bags, oxygen tanks, and other life support devices. The material is high quality polyurethane-coated polyester with good slip characteristics, wipe clean on face side. The entire process only takes moments and the patient remains safe, warm and comfortable.

Through its design, the risk of back injuries for staff members is reduced as patients are pulled and not lifted from danger as compared to older methods of evacuation and because patients remain close to the ground, exposure to smoke or other toxins is also minimized.

Introduction 
Hospitals have been traditionally viewed as places of medical care for ill or injured persons and "the concept of the "hospital as a victim" is generating considerable interest. (Schulz et al, 2005) 

The EVAC-Sheet was developed in 2003 and has been updated to take account of the Evacuator and Evacuee's safety. The EVAC-Sheet was designed based on a need that was identified when the designer Philomena (Phil) Lewis-Farrell commenced employment in a large Acute General Hospital in Dublin, Ireland and reviewed the equipment provided for evacuation that was then in-situ. Since then Phil based her Thesis on trialling the EVAC-Sheet. 

Objectives 
Evacuation of patients in the event of a fire or another type of emergency was the main concern for staff. Equipment supplied was inadequate and unsuitable and needed redesign based on legislation and ergonomic principals. 

Following on from the development of the EVAC-Sheet it was necessary to assess the time it takes to evacuate non-ambulant persons using an EVAC-Sheet in a hospital environment and document findings and making recommendations based on results. 

Methodology 
Based on legislation, ergonomics, BATNEEC (Best available technology not exceeding excessive cost) and infection control standards a prototype EVAC-Sheet was developed in consultation with staff and an equipment manufacturer. 

Trials were carried out in two high dependency units with high staff patient ratio in the acute hospital (these were both day and night). Data was recorded and analysed. 

Results 
By testing four different hypotheses the results that ensued were limited and further research was recommended including Site specific fire risk assessments as a basis for evacuation procedures; Hands-on site specific training to be developed; Two step by step picture guides have been developed for checking EVAC Sheets; Step by step picture guides for placing EVAC Sheets correctly on beds; and Step by step picture guides for use of the EVAC Sheets. 

The first one is a users guide that shows how to place and check the EVAC Sheet and the second one is a step by step guide that shows how to use the EVAC Sheet during an evacuation. These posters are manufactured to withstand chlorine products up to 1000 ppm which is inline with infection control standards

Conclusions 
Despite achieving an award and rigorous trials continuous audit and review is required to protect the worker and the patient in the use of evacuation equipment. Assessments should be the norm of equipment and patients having due regard to legislation, standards and ergonomic principals as Bariatric patients are presenting more frequently in emergency rooms. 

Reference 
Schults, Carl H. MD, FACEP; Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP; Erik Auf der Heide, MD, MPH, FACEP; Robert Olson, 2005, Benchmarking for Hospital Evacuation: A Critical Data Collection Tool, Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, September-October, Volume 20, No.5 http://pdm.medicine.wisc.edu 


Phil Lewis-Farrell is a Chartered Member of Institution of Occupational Safety and Health