
LAKEVILLE, Minn., Jan. 14, 2025 — Accurate weight estimation plays a pivotal role in prehospital and emergency medical care, particularly when determining medication dosages. Literature suggests a lack of consensus on standardized weight estimation tools, which poses significant challenges in prehospital settings. In this study, the aim was to determine the accuracy of a prehospital EMS OneWeight stretcher scale and self-reported weights in adults.
Methods
Participants were weighed on a hospital bed scale, prehospital EMS OneWeight stretcher scale, and certified standing scale. Volunteers self-reported weight, age, and gender. Evaluations for accuracy were compared to the standing scale. Analysis evaluated for accuracy within 10% and 5%. Equivalence testing was performed on gender and self-reported weights
Results
Study included 50 adults—36 females (72%), 12 males (24%), and 2 non-reporting (4%). When comparing accuracy of the EMS OneWeight stretcher scale, 50/50 (100%) were within 10% and 49/50 (98%) within 5% of the standing scale. 50/50 (100%) of hospital bed scale weights were within a 10% and 5% difference. 49/50 (98%) of self-reported weights were within 10% and 45/50 (90%) within 5% of the standing scale. For women, the Test for Equivalence in self-reported weights was within the 90% confidence interval (-1.989, -0.855, p=0.0081). Men were within the 90% confidence interval (-2.319, -1.215), but not the equivalence interval (-2.27, 2.27, p=0.0543).
Conclusion
The prehospital EMS OneWeight stretcher scale and hospital scale demonstrated accuracy when compared to standing-scale weights. Accuracy was highest when within a 10% difference. Self-reported weights also showed high levels of accuracy. Additional studies are needed to determine if scale weights can lead to more accurate dosing in weight-dosed medications.
Key Findings
There was a strong correlation between OneWeight and hospital standing-scale weights. 98% of weights obtained using the prehospital EMS OneWeight stretcher scale were within 5% accuracy. In prehospital emergency environments, OneWeight’s level of accuracy represents a significant improvement from the weight estimations of providers.
Study Authors
This IRB-approved study was conducted in September, 2023, by Elizabeth Reiche1, John Perez1, Brooklin Zimmerman1, Elizabeth Lyden2, Aaron Barksdale1, Thang Nguyen1, and Abraham Campos1.
1 Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
2 Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE.
About Hinckley Medical
Hinckley Medical minimizes prehospital medical errors with two innovative solutions: OneDose™, an interactive protocol-workflow app, and OneWeight®, the first patient scale for ambulance gurneys. Designed for seamless integration or standalone use, both enhance patient care by ensuring accurate weight-based dosing and streamlined protocol adherence. www.hinckleymed.com