Measurement of Vibration Levels on Neonatal Transport Systems Using a Custom Data Logger

Critically ill neonates often require emergency transportation to facilities able to provide the required level of care. There are concerns that the transportation of high risk neonates, principally those of low gestational age and birth weight, may further impact outcomes. It is therefore imperative to consider the potential vibration such infants may be exposed to, while developing strategies to mitigate such exposure. The province of Ontario has introduced a new neonatal transport equipment that meets provincial standards for safety. This paper presents an analysis of patient vibration exposure during interhospital transports and compares the new equipment with the previous neonate transport equipment. Twenty-four experiments were performed between the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and The Ottawa Hospital - General Campus, reflecting three different patient masses and four combinations of mattresses in both the old and new transport systems. A custom data logger was developed for this study to measure accelerations. Statistical analysis of measured accelerations indicates significantly higher vibration with the new equipment deck. Results also indicate that all examined mattress types are effective in mitigating the transmission of vibrations from equipment to patient. Future studies will leverage the additional sensor modalities, analyze the frequency power spectrum, and examine ground and air transportation.