AU2018286575A1 - Medical work area and carrier apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a medical work area and carrier apparatus, for use by a paramedic to attend to a person in need of medical assistance. The medical work area and carrier apparatus includes a carrier suitable to be conveniently carried by the paramedic, a plurality of carrier areas within the carrier, adapted to hold and carry items for use by the paramedic in attending to the person; and a substantially planar body, associated with the carrier. In use the items may be carried in the carrier areas of the carrier until needed and the substantially planar body used as a clean work area in the field. cnrDA')A~7l1Q i UJ.Lf I I LLWIii..'-rLLLTILiLilLuliLLLLILLLLILLII-lI A 00 ----------------- coo CIA --------------- CIA LLI OC) - ------------- - - - - - - - - - - CIA CIA I t A

Description

i UJ.Lf I I LLWIii..'-rLLLTILiLilLuliLLLLILLLLILLII-lI

A ----------------- coo CIA

--------------- CIA LLI OC) - ------------- - - - - - - - - - -

CIA CIA It

A MEDICAL WORK AREA AND CARRIER APPARATUS

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical work area and carrier apparatus, and in particular to a medical work area and carrier apparatus that may be carried and used in the field by a paramedic.

[0002] Paramedics do an amazing job, going to the location of an injured or ill person, to provide the first medical assistance, at the scene. The person in need of medical assistance is assessed and quickly stabilised, as much as possible, before being transported to hospital. The initial treatment occurs at the place where the person is lying or sitting, before being moved to the ambulance and then in the ambulance to the hospital. The paramedic must be well trained and well equipped as they will not know what the next call will bring, what injury the person may have, or what illness. Some equipment is used frequently, for example, hypodermics to administer drugs, swabs, to clean the skin before administering, these kinds of things. A paramedic will carry these items with them from the ambulance to the site of the patient. At present, this means picking up these things from the ambulance on arriving, plus other things that the call indicates will be needed, and putting them in a pocket. A jumble of packets and vials may then need to be searched through in the pocket to administer to the patient. Time is of course critical and so it is most undesirable that there is any delay in treating the patient or any inconvenience to the paramedic in the performance of his or her duties. A better way to carry the equipment needed to first treat the patient and keep it conveniently organised for use has long been needed, but no appropriate solution found. The subject invention addresses this need, in a simple to use but very useful manner, with other benefits as described below.

[0003] A paramedic will get an emergency call and travel to the location where required. This may be a traffic accident, a public area or the home of a person, for example. In each of these situations the paramedic carries items from the ambulance to the person in order that the first assessment and treatment be made cnrDA')A~7A1Q before they can be moved to the ambulance for transport to hospital. The first treatment equipment in the pocket of the person is carried to the site of the person, so as to minimise trips back to the ambulance while carrying out the treatment to stabilise the patient.

[0004] After stabilising the patient the doctors treating the patient will need to know what treatment has occurred. Often the tracking of treatment of a patient is to look at the volume of a particular drug already administered so that future treatments can be adjusted accordingly. A way to track the treatment of a patient is to look at the vials of drugs used, and other used items. If half a vial of a drug has been used, if possible this may be passed on to the next stage of medical carers for use. To do so shows the dose already administered and that there is scope to administer more if called for, by the condition of the patient. Often, the drugs get separated from the patient and so cannot be used efficiently, and an accurate history of exactly how much of particular drugs being administered not passed on to the hospital workers. It would be most advantageous to be able to accurately record, and where appropriate pass on the unused vials of drugs for a particular patient. Tracking of all the items used to treat a patient before reaching hospital would be extremely useful to assist in better treatment of the patient and improved efficiencies.

[0005] Wherever the person has become ill or injured, is not likely to be clean and sterile area, as found in a hospital theatre, and yet emergency treatments and procedures must be carried at this location, nevertheless. The location may be at a road side where the person is lying on the ground. There may be any manner of dirt, bodily fluids or dog faeces, or general rubbish, on the ground, just as examples, and right where the paramedic needs to work to treat the injured person. If the person is injured in a country environment there may be less man-made refuse but still animal faeces and contaminants in the dirt as well as the dirt itself. Even in a home, dust, animal hair, general refuse and other dirt may be present.

cnrDA')A~7l1Q

As well as physical contaminants and things which are clearly unclean such as rubbish, there may be bacteria or viruses present on any surface.

[0006] Clearly, where a person is on the ground, or injured there is a serious and significant risk of contamination or of infection. It is highly desirable to work in a clean environment throughout when treating the patient. A paramedic will quickly see issues and try to reduce the risk but has no choice generally of where the patient is to be treated. Where there are cuts to be dressed, for example, it is important that the wounds are cleaned, and dressed cleanly to keep the wound from becoming infected. If there is no clean surface to temporarily place items the paramedic will end up juggling items in an attempt to kept them from contact with a potentially unclean surface.

[0007] Paramedics make the best of any situation, however, there has been a long felt want for a means to easily carry essential equipment to the patient, track the equipment used so it can follow the patient and for there to be a clean, sterile area in which to work on the patient, while in the field.

[0008] The subject invention through use of a handy carrier, enables the equipment to be carried in a single article, opened easily by folding or rolling out to present a clean field for work, and patient treatment tracking is facilitated by the keeping of the vials and packets of the used or partly used treatments for a particular patient in the sterile carrier. This clever and multifaceted invention addresses all of the mentioned problems in a useful and convenient manner, providing organised equipment, a visual history for of the treatment administered and while in use a clean field in which to work. The invention may be used in a disposal form, or reusable form, and is a very useful item, that once known about and developed commercially is likely to be adopted as the standard and preferred method in the industry.

[0009] The following describes a non-limiting example of the invention being used

cnrDA')A~7l1Q with reference to being used by a paramedic when treating emergency patients at the point of first contact. The invention is particularly applicable and useful for paramedics or any medical personnel working outside of a medical building to provide a clean working area and carry vital equipment. However, there are numerous applications of this clever invention, in many fields of use. It is not intended that use be limited to paramedics, other than as stated in the claims. The invention may be used in emergency situations in a medical building in other uses of the invention. The invention could also be used in veterinary situations to treat animals, for example.

[0010] For clarity, any prior art referred to herein, does not constitute an admission that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge, in Australia or elsewhere.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical work area and carrier apparatus that at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems of the prior art.

[0012] Accordingly, the present invention provides a medical work area and carrier apparatus, for use by a paramedic to attend to a person in need of medical assistance, the medical work area and carrier apparatus including: a carrier suitable to be conveniently carried by the paramedic; a plurality of carrier areas within the carrier, adapted to hold and carry items for use by the paramedic in attending to the person; and a substantially planar body, associated with the carrier, and able to provide a clean work area for use in the field;

wherein the items may be carried in the carrier areas of the carrier until needed and the substantially planar body used as a clean work area in the field.

[0013] Preferably, the medical work area is any suitable work area. The medical work area may be used for any purpose in the health field. The work area may also

cnrDA')A~7l1Q be used for animals, by veterinary staff. Most preferably, the medical work area is a substantially flat clean area that may be used by paramedics to treat emergency patients.

[0014] The carrier apparatus may take any suitable form to carry items. Various scale of apparatus may be used to suit the particular application. The carrier apparatus is preferably adapted to carry a plurality of medical items in an organised fashion.

[0015] The apparatus may be made of any suitable material. The apparatus may be made of a plastics material. The apparatus may be made of a layered material including waterproof outer layers and a padded central layer. The material may be similar to a "bluey" used in the medical industry. The apparatus may be made of a combination of layers of suitable materials. Preferably, in one form of the invention the apparatus is substantially waterproof. In other forms of the invention a cotton or artificial material may be used. In this form of the invention the apparatus may be reusable.

[0016] In one form of the invention the apparatus may be provided sealed and sterile before use. In other forms of the invention clean apparatus is provided for use at suitable times.

[0017] The apparatus may be usable by any person who may find it of use. However, the invention is particularly applicable to use by paramedics. The invention may also be used by doctors, nurses or in fact any health professional. Where used for animals the paramedic may instead be a person trained in the treatment of animals.

[0018] Preferably, the carrier is adapted to be comfortably and conveniently carried by the paramedic. Preferably, the carrier can be carried in a pocket of the paramedic. In other forms of the invention the carrier may be carried on a belt, or

cnrDA')A~7l1Q sling or other means to attach to or about the body of the person. The invention may also be carried in the hand to the site where it is to be used. Most preferably, the carrier is adapted to hold and carry in an organised fashion the items needed for the immediate treatment of a patient. The carrying may be holding the items then carried in another container or bag, if suitable. The carrier preferably, keeps and holds the items in an organised fashion ready for use.

[0019] The convenient carrying of the items may include so that the items do not dig into to the pocket of the person. The convenient carrying may include the organised carrying of the items. The convenient carrying may include that the items are carried in a compact manner.

[0020] There may be any suitable number of carrier areas. Preferably, there are 6 or more carrier areas. Preferably, there are numerous carrier areas so that the items to be carrier can be separated into separate carrier areas. Once separated these items can readily be viewed to see that they are present and, checked to see that they are integral, and found easily at the time of use.

[0021] Most preferably, carrier areas of different sizes are included. Preferably, a range of heights of carrier areas are included. Preferably, a range of widths of carrier areas are included. In a most preferred form of the invention the carrier areas increase in height and width from one side to the other. Most preferably, in this form of the invention large items can be easily distinguished due to the placement in the apparatus, one side have the smallest items the other side the tallest or largest. Preferably, the arrangement of sizes of carrier areas assists to organise the items which in turn makes it easier to check they are present and find them for use.

[0022] The carrier areas may take any suitable form. Preferably, carrier areas are formed by a layer of material applied to hold and separate the items in individual

cnrDA')A~7l1Q

"pockets". Preferably, the carrier areas maintain the items in the apparatus when stowed or transported from one site to another.

[0023] The items may be any suitable items for use in medical treatment. The items may include swabs, hypodermic needles, dressings or drugs just as small example, as would be readily understood by a person skilled in the art.

[0024] The person may be any person in need of medical assistance. In other forms of the invention the person may be an animal in need of treatment.

[0025] The substantially planar body may form a back to the carrier areas. The substantially planar body may overlay the carrier areas during stowing or transportation. The substantially planar body may form part of the carrier areas.

[0026] The substantially planar body may take any suitable form. Preferably, the substantially planar body assists to hold the items in the carrier areas during the stowed state and then can be unpacked for use as a clean working area. Most preferably, the substantially planar body assists to keep the items clean until use. The substantially planar body preferably unpacks to make a substantially flat clean area suitable for working in the field. The work area may be any suitable size. The working area may be considerably larger than the size of the stowed apparatus. The working area may be waterproof. The working area may be provided sterile. The working area may be padded. The working area may be easily cleaned. The substantially planar body may take any suitable shape. The substantially planar body may be substantially rectangular.

[0027] The apparatus may be used to keep and track items used on the patient. The apparatus may have items returned to the carrier areas and the carrier apparatus travels with the patient to show the nature of the drugs or other treatments administered. The tracking may take any suitable form. Preferably, tracking includes keeping the packaging of administered treatments in the carrier

cnrDA')A~7l1Q areas. Drug vials of treatments in progress for the patient may also be kept in the apparatus.

[0028] Accordingly, the present invention provides, in a variant, a medical work area and carrier apparatus, for use by a paramedic to attend to a person in need of medical assistance, the medical work area and carrier apparatus including: a carrier suitable to be conveniently carried by the paramedic; a plurality of carrier areas within the carrier, adapted to hold and carry items for use by the paramedic in attending to the person, the items held in a clearly visible and organised manner; and a substantially planar body, associated with the carrier, and able to provide a clean work area for use in the field;

wherein the items may be carried in the carrier areas of the carrier until needed and the substantially planar body used as a clean work area in the field, and after use items kept in the carrier to show the treatments administered to the patient.

[0029] Accordingly, the present invention also provides a method of use of a medical work area and carrier apparatus, the medical work area and carrier apparatus including, a carrier suitable to be conveniently carried by the paramedic, a plurality of carrier areas within the carrier, adapted to hold and carry items for use by the paramedic in attending to the person; and a substantially planar body, associated with the carrier, and able to provide a clean work area for use in the field, the method including the following steps: a) opening the apparatus up so that the carrier areas are accessible;

b) packing the carrier areas with useful items;

c) checking the items present; d) closing the apparatus into a stowed compact state; e) fastening the apparatus in the stowed and compact state; f) at the site of where it is desired to administer to the person, unfastening and opening up the apparatus, so that the substantially planar

cnrDA')A~7l1Q body presents a clean work area and the items may be accessed from the carrier areas, whereby the nature of the carrier areas presents the items in an organised fashion.

[0030] The packing step may be omitted in some forms of the invention where the apparatus is provided prepacked, for example. The medical work area and carrier apparatus may be the medical work area and carrier apparatus of the invention in any of its forms or variants.

[0031] The invention will now be described in connection with a non-limiting preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view from the front of a medical carrier according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a stowed state;

[0033] Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the medical carrier of Figure 1, opened up to show the carrier areas and the work area, before items are placed therein;

[0034] Figure 3 is a plan view from above of the medical carrier of Figure 2 shown in use with items in the carrier areas and being placed on the work area; and

[0035] Figure 4 is a plan view from above of the medical carrier of Figures 1 to 3, in the partly open state, with the work area folded over the carrier area.

[0036] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, where medical carrier 1, has body 10 with carrier area 11. Carrier area 11 is formed of a second thickness of material overlaying the first (neither are labelled but these layers are apparent from the drawings, for example Figure 2. As illustrated body 10 is made of a disposable sterile waterproof padded plastics material (known as a "bluey") with the carrier area made of a further piece of this material attached during manufacture. Medical carrier 1 is illustrated therefore in

cnrDA')A~7l1Q the disposable version, as particularly useful, being provided sealed and sterile before use, and disposed of after use. The material is soft when stowed, protecting the items and keeping them clean, providing a clear, clean, waterproof and padded work area. However, any suitable material may be used for the apparatus, not limited to the illustrated "bluey" version. For example, a material version, such as a tough cotton may be used and be washed rather than replaced after use. It may be understood that any suitable strong material may be used for the apparatus. A light material is preferable so that it does not add to the weight of the apparatus to be carried. Combinations of materials would be useful too, to keep the items, organised ready for use and then provide the work area. It is envisaged that different versions may be available for different uses, a plastic disposable version for when there is likely to be a lot of mess and risk of contamination, and a cotton reusable version for the day to day smaller injuries are just two examples.

[0037] It is within carrier area 11, between the two layers of material, that the items will be carried for use by a paramedic when first attending to a patient; more on this below. Carrier area 11 as illustrated in a simple form of the invention is divided into 6 individual carrier areas by sewn seams joining the two layers of material, to form individual "pockets". A simple form of the invention with fewer carrier areas is used for ease of illustration, however more complex versions have been designed. It is envisaged that in the finished commercial product that a great many more carrier areas of different suitable sizes may be used to carry a large number of different useful items.

[0038] Carrier areas 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 are defined to clearly show an example form of the invention. Each of carrier areas 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 is slightly different to be useful to carry slightly different items. As can be seen the smallest and thinnest is carrier 12, which also has the shortest depth. It is important in order that very small items may be quickly located and picked up that these have a suitably small carrier area. The size enables the smaller items to put inside, be held and carried inside by the carrier area wall, but as the wall is short the top of

cnrDA')A~7A1Q the item protrudes can so can be easily seen. If the item was completely covered and could not be seen by the user, yes the item would be carried but this different to what is happening here, here the item is carried and presented in an organised manner ready to be used. Should the item be packaged sterilized swabs for example these protrude, can be seen and quickly grabbed as needed. When the paramedic is loading the items into the carrier, these can also be quickly seen so that it is easy for the person to check everything needed has been packed and is presented and ready to use. In a bag or pocket once the items are thrown in, there is no organisation, no ease of viewing or checking on the items making it difficult for the user, particular in the emergency situation to ensure all the necessary materials are at hand. It is one of the very many advantages of the invention that the organisation factor makes the task easier and more efficient.

[0039] From left to right as you look at it each of the carrier areas 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 increases in width and height slightly. This enables items of different sizes to be arranged in this manner. The organisation makes it easier to see the smallest of a type of item available and similarly the largest due to the comparative arrangement from small to larger. When stowed, the nature of the larger items being at one end naturally assists the stowing with the lighter, smaller items at the other end. Across from left to right longer items may be carried in carrier area 22 as it is the tallest. Or also larger items that require the extra breadth. When preparing the apparatus and filling it before use the paramedic will naturally be drawn to put a certain item in a certain position due to the fit. Once in position that good fit enables the item to be carried separate and organised and readily checked or found again.

[0040] In use standard items that may be used in most situations, such as hypodermics, swabs and dressings may be packed ahead of time, ready to go. Other items may then be added on receiving a call that the paramedic may expect to use for that particular type of accident or injury. A quick look and the professional

cnrDA')A~7l1Q can see everything they have, add what they may need and then stow it to get out of the ambulance and to the scene where needed.

[0041] Work area 24 is a flat area that when stowed folds over the carrier area, assisting to keep everything clean and sterile before use. The soft material squishes down small so can be carried in the pocket with east but the contained items remain organised and protected. In the Figures work area 24 is shown as a smaller form of the invention. In other beneficial forms the work area is larger and would fold over and completely cover carrier area 11. Even larger work areas that fold out further are also envisaged, depending on the particular application of the invention.

[0042] Both work area 24 and carrier area 11 have seams, shown as hatched areas in Figure 2, for example, side seam 26, top seam 28 and other side seam 30. These side seams assist in giving strength to the apparatus, but may be omitted or replaced with other forms of reinforcement. The lower seam may be included too but in the illustrated case is the base of the carrier area. The seams may assist to define the work area and to add strength and shape when used as an area for working in the field.

[0043] Carrier area seam 32 provides the reinforcement to the top of the individual carrier areas 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 as these may get worn as items are taken in and out during use.

[0044] Tie 34, as seen in Figure 1 ties the stowed medical carrier 1, tightly. In this way the items are maintained safely in the carrier while being carried in the hand, attached to a belt or in the pocket of the user. Then once at the sight where the patient needs assistance tie 34 may be unfastened and access to the items and work area 24 is quickly gained. Tie 34 is illustrated as a band around body 10, which is fastened by a bow out of sight. Other quick release forms of fastening may be used instead.

cnrDA')A~7l1Q

[0045] In Figure 3 example items 36 (only some of which are labelled) are shown schematically, as would be stowed and used. Other items have been used or are in use and are placed on the clean field provided by work area 24. These are just examples, as would be understood by the person skilled in the art. A used single use hypodermic 38 rests on work area 24, as does empty packet 40 and half empty vial 42.

[0046] Use of a padding material is convenient to be comfortable to carry, to protect the items from damage or protruding uncomfortably when being carried say in a pocket, but also in use as a work area. If the use is on the ground the padding assists to level the ground so items may be laid out for use. The padding can assist to stop items rolling off the work area and protects them from the ground itself.

[0047] In use a call may come in that a person needs assistance with a certain injury, the paramedic, while travelling to the call may check medical carrier 1, see that common items, swabs, hypodermics are all present but a particular drug may be needed, so this and other anticipated equipment added to carrier area 11. Each carried item is placed carefully in the appropriate carrier area so that part of each item can be seen, making it easy to check everything needed has been packed. Work area 24 is open when loading but after loading carrier 1 work area 24 is folded over as in Figure 4. Folding up or rolling up can be achieved assisted by the seams and divisions of the carrier areas which make for natural folds, until the apparatus is a small package, easily carried. Tie 34 is tied about the small package to maintain it in the compact, safe, stowed state. In this way the person can quickly put it in a pocket or otherwise carry it from the vehicle to where the person is in need of assistance.

[0048] As the paramedic leaves the vehicle and approaches the person, they can be confident that the items that they need as a matter of urgency are not only present but will be easy to find and use. At the sight of the person a quick pull on

cnrDA')A~7A1Q the bow (not shown for ease of illustration) tied in tie 34 releases the folded body, so it can be unrolled to again look as in Figure 4. Work area 24 is unfolded away from carrier area 11 to reveal the packed items. At the same time clean work area 24 is presented ready for use as needed close to the carried items. As the items have been organised by size and carefully chosen, exactly the items needed for the immediate treatment and stabilisation of the patient will be readily available. The paramedic will work on the patient perhaps administering drugs and applying dressings. Vials of drugs may be part used and these can be put back in carrier 1, as can packing of other items administered. The reason to do so is to communicate to the next medical person at the hospital, of the treatment already administered. If only half a vial of a drug is given, later it may be found that a greater dose is called for, and so if the half used vial travels with the person it can be clearly seen that only half was given previously and so there is scope to administer more. Further, as the vial is there, kept safe and sterile for that particular patient it may be that the remainder of the same vial can then be administered either later in the ambulance or by another attending doctor. The history of the patient's treatment can be kept through use of the apparatus, until taken under the care and control of a hospital.

[0049] During the use by the paramedic, work area 24 is fully unfolded to present a sterile working area. This may be used to place items on their way to use from a carrier area, or other items brought with them separately. In any case the paramedic beneficially has a clear clean area to work, wherever he or she may be that they can trust to be suitable to use while making the initial checks and treatments to a person. Even a simple thing such as a clean place to put a dressing while going through the process is highly beneficial, and avoids the need to juggle materials in an effort to keep them clean while attending a patient.

[0050] All in all this clever invention enables items to be carried, organise, presented conveniently so can be readily checked and found for use. It also

cnrDA')A~7A1Q provides a clean and clear work area, and after use enables tracking of the treatments provided to a patient, and potentially economies in use of drugs.

[0051] It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that changes may be made to the embodiment disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its various aspects.

cnrDA')A~7l1Q

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST:

1 Medical carrier 10 Body of medical carrier 11 Carrier area 12 Carrier area for an item 14 Carrier area for an item 16 Carrier area for an item 18 Carrier area for an item 20 Carrier area for an item 22 Carrier area for an item 24 Work area 26 Side seam 28 Top seam 30 Side seam 32 Carrier area seam 34 Tie 36 Example items 38 Used hypodermic 40 Empty packet 42 Half empty drug vial

cnrDA')A~7l1Q

Claims (20)

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A medical work area and carrier apparatus, for use by a paramedic to attend to a person in need of medical assistance, the medical work area and carrier apparatus including:

a carrier suitable to be conveniently carried by the paramedic; a plurality of carrier areas within the carrier, adapted to hold and carry items for use by the paramedic in attending to the person; and a substantially planar body, associated with the carrier, and able to provide a clean work area for use in the field;

wherein the items may be carried in the carrier areas of the carrier until needed and the substantially planar body used as a clean work area in the field.

2. The medical work area and carrier apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clean work area is considerably larger than the size of the stowed apparatus.

3. The medical work area and carrier apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus is used to keep and track items used on the patient.

4. The medical work area and carrier apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus provides a substantially flat, large, clean area that may be used by paramedics to treat emergency patients.

5. The medical work area and carrier apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the carrier apparatus is adapted to carry a plurality of medical items in an organised fashion.

6. The medical work area and carrier apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the apparatus is made of a layered material including waterproof outer layers and a padded central layer.

7. The medical work area and carrier apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the material is similar to a "bluey" used in the medical industry.

cnrDA')A~7l1Q

8. The medical work area and carrier apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the apparatus is provided sealed and sterile before use.

9. The medical work area and carrier apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the convenient carrying of the items includes so that the items do not dig into to the pocket of the person.

10. The medical work area and carrier apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the carrier can be carried in a pocket of the paramedic or on a belt.

11. The medical work area and carrier apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein there are numerous carrier areas so that the items to be carried can be separated into separate carrier areas and once separated these items can readily be viewed to see that they are present and, checked to see that they are integral, and found easily at the time of use.

12. The medical work area and carrier apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein carrier areas are formed by a layer of material applied to hold and separate the items in individual "pockets" and the carrier areas maintain the items in the apparatus when stowed or transported from one site to another.

13. The medical work area and carrier apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the items are suitable items for use in medical treatment including swabs; hypodermic needles; dressings; or drugs.

14. The medical work area and carrier apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the substantially planar body unpacks to make a substantially flat clean area suitable for working in the field and working area is considerably larger than the size of the stowed apparatus.

15. The medical work area and carrier apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the working area is waterproof.

cnrDA')A~7l1Q

16. The medical work area and carrier apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the working area is provided sterile and may be easily cleaned.

17. The medical work area and carrier apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein apparatus is used to keep and track items used on the patient.

18. A medical work area and carrier apparatus, for use by a paramedic to attend to a person in need of medical assistance, the medical work area and carrier apparatus including:

a carrier suitable to be conveniently carried by the paramedic; a plurality of carrier areas within the carrier, adapted to hold and carry items for use by the paramedic in attending to the person, the items held in a clearly visible and organised manner; and a substantially planar body, associated with the carrier, and able to provide a clean work area for use in the field;

wherein the items may be carried in the carrier areas of the carrier until needed and the substantially planar body used as a clean work area in the field, and after use items kept in the carrier to show the treatments administered to the patient.

19. A method of use of a medical work area and carrier apparatus, the medical work area and carrier apparatus including, a carrier suitable to be conveniently carried by the paramedic, a plurality of carrier areas within the carrier, adapted to hold and carry items for use by the paramedic in attending to the person; and a substantially planar body, associated with the carrier, and able to provide a clean work area for use in the field, the method including the following steps:

a) opening the apparatus up so that the carrier areas are accessible;

b) packing the carrier areas with useful items;

c) checking the items present; d) closing the apparatus into a stowed compact state; e) fastening the apparatus in the stowed and compact state; cnrDA')A~7l1Q f) at the site of where it is desired to administer to the person, unfastening and opening up the apparatus, so that the substantially planar body presents a clean work area and the items may be accessed from the carrier areas, whereby the nature of the carrier areas presents the items in an organised fashion.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the medical work area and carrier apparatus is the medical work area and carrier apparatus of any one claims 1 to 18.

cnrDA')A~7l1Q