Augmented Reality for Hospital Fire Safety

This study evaluated the effectiveness of augmented reality-based hospital fire-safety education among hospitalized patients and accompanying caregivers. Hospital fires pose substantial risks to patient safety because of complex clinical environments, high reliance on electrical equipment, and the presence of patients who may have difficulty evacuating during emergencies. Strengthening fire-safety preparedness among patients and caregivers is therefore an important component of hospital safety management.Participants were recruited from three hospital wards and assigned to either an augmented reality education group or a traditional education group using a sealed-envelope assignment method. The augmented reality group received fire-safety education through a hospital-developed web-based augmented reality platform, whereas the control group received standard hospital fire-safety education based on existing inpatient education protocols. Outcomes were assessed before and after the educational intervention using a structured questionnaire measuring fire-safety knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and acceptance of the educational method, including perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use.The purpose of this study was to determine whether augmented reality-based education was more effective and acceptable than traditional education in improving hospital fire-safety preparedness among hospitalized patients and caregivers.

Inclusion Criteria: * Hospitalized patients, family caregivers, or paid caregivers in the participating hospital wards * Aged 20 years or older * Able to communicate in Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese, or Hakka * Willing to participate in the study and provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals with mobility limitations * Individuals who did not have access to or were unable to use a mobile phone * Individuals who were unwilling to participate in the study