Dr. Laura Bix from the Michigan State University School of Packaging returns to the show! Her latest project was researching the packaging of medical supplies used by EMTs in the field as they stabilize patients and transport them to the hospital in the ambulance.
Dr. Bix describes how most medical supplies are normally packaged for the highly controlled Operating Room environment and how they might not work as well in the field and in ambulances. From initial investigation ideas, to recording ambulance environments on closed tracks, to constructing an ambulance simulator usability lab for testing the opening of packaging with EMTs under repeatable conditions, Dr. Bix talks about all phases of the project.
Here is an article on Dr. Bix’s work at the school, including the study we talked about in this episode–and from which I used two excellent photos for these shownotes, thanks MSU:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/packaging-the-industry-no-one-thinks-about-but-saves-lives
There is a donation drive going on now to renovate the School of Packaging building. The last update to the facility was in 1986 and it’s time for some improvements. Check it out and contribute if you can to this excellent department that does so much to train some of the best professional packaging designers in the world. NEWS FLASH: Dr. Bix just told me the school received a 10.8 million dollar grant donation. Great news!
More links about the MSU School of Packaging:
https://www.facebook.com/MSUPackaging
https://www.linkedin.com/company/msupackaging/
https://www.instagram.com/msupackaging/
https://www.instagram.com/msucoppac