Usability study tips for https://gitlab.cba.mit.edu/alfonso/covid-isolation-box
We are close to field testing (IRB exempt status) the Covid Isolation Box and are looking for any advice people can offer regarding usability testing and/or human factors assessments. The assessment will either involve a survey (online) or structured interview of staff involved in assembly/use of the boxes. (We aim to have separate staff assemble the boxes; physicians will be using them).
Assembly instructions are on the above linked project page and here's a link to an instructional video.
Usability issues faced (and some addressed) in simulation (and reported in other intubation box designs) include:
- Arm holes too small, difficult to maneuver arms inside box (v14 improved, has one bigger hole for arms)
- Box not high enough for manipulating tubes/stylets (v14 made taller)
- Difficult for assistant to aid proceduralist/laryngoscopist
- Box didn't rest on narrow stretcher (box wider), so had to develop secondary piece of equipment (board); now potential issue as requires additional steps.
- Extra time involved in organizing equipment given constraints of box (compared to no box; not necessarily compared to other boxes).
we did not test 'usability' of box assembly and/or disposable in simulation but are interested in testing it in live environment. We have 30 boxes to test.
Appreciate advice/input/resources (P.S. we are aware of the recent article on the potential downside of isolation boxes not sure how our box would perform from this perspective given the blue paper drape flap that we tape/use to cover the head of bed arm hole (theoretically limiting spread to person doing procedure).