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A simulation study of drone delivery of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) in the UK
,
Jeremy Howitt,
Nigel Breyley,
Phil Geoghegan,
Carl Powel
PLOS ONE, Volume: 16, Issue: 11, Start page: e0259555
Swansea University Author:
Nigel Rees
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© 2021 Rees et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
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DOI (Published version): 10.1371/journal.pone.0259555
Abstract
Background: Drones are increasingly used in healthcare, and feasibility studies of deployment of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have been conducted. Despite the potential contribution of drones to healthcare, regulatory barriers exist, including limi...
| Published in: | PLOS ONE |
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| ISSN: | 1932-6203 |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2021
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58722 |
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| Abstract: |
Background: Drones are increasingly used in healthcare, and feasibility studies of deployment of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have been conducted. Despite the potential contribution of drones to healthcare, regulatory barriers exist, including limits on flights beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS). The aim of this project was to deliver an AED BVLOS in Wales. Methods: We developed of a Concept of Operations (CONOPS) to identify requirements, constraints, organisation and roles and responsibilities associated with deploying a drone to deliver an AED BVLOS. We equipped a Penguin B drone with satellite-enabled technology to enhance situational awareness and safety for the remote pilot. A BVLOS Operating Safety Case and three-week flight test programme was conducted with an AED attached directly to parachute for deployment to simulated OHCA. Results: We completed six flights totalling 92km, 1:02.5 hours of flight time and four successful parachute payload drops. We conducted a successful end-to-end flight demonstration of an AED delivered via BVLOS by drone to a simulated OHCA and resuscitation by lay responder’s in a remote location; the final delivery of 4.5km was completed in 2:50 minutes. Conclusion: We have delivered an AED by parachute, from fixed wing drone BVLOS in the UK in simulated OHCA. This project adds to the body of knowledge required for regulatory assurance on drone use BVLOS. Further research is needed before routine use of this technology. |
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| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Funders: |
The project was 80% funded by the UK Space Agency and 20% funded by Snowdonia Aerospace LLP, Swiftflight Avionics Ltd. and the University of Mancheste |
| Issue: |
11 |
| Start Page: |
e0259555 |