Stretchering Your Imagination

Stretchers are the centre-piece of every transfer and one that you’ll become very familiar with, as you will use it for every patient.

A transfer stretcher has to provide:

• safety
• comfort for the patient
• pressure sore prevention
• space to secure all equipment
• injury prevention for the staff operating it

A well designed stretcher prevents work related injuries for staff. The CDC (Centre Of Disease Control) has published some very good infographics and data on how to prevent injuries which are available below, in the “Downloads” section.

Loading A Stretcher

There are several systems for loading a stretcher; the Easi-Loader, the ramp and the tail-lift systems are most commonly used.

© Getty, Example of an Easi-Loader in action as team quickly offload the patient.

Example of a tail ramp with winch to load stretcher onto a mobile ICU type ambulance

An ambulance tail lift in action

There is evidence that electrically powered stretchers can decrease the number of stretcher-related work injuries by approximately 70%

© Studnek et al, 2012

Securing The Patient & Equipment

© https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-164/images/CrashTest.jpg

It is our responsibility to reduce the risks to patient, personnel and equipment.

© https://www.cdc.gov/niosh

Practical Stretcher Rules

• Check wheels, brakes, legs, bolts and screws daily.
• Check the battery and lifting system daily.
• Keep backup batteries in the ambulance.
• Check the patient’s weight plus the equipment against the maximum loading capacity.
• Check the stretcher is securely locked into the ambulance.
• Use restraints or secure straps.
• Lock all wheels when the ambulance is in motion.

In the next step we continue to look at transfer equipment. Discuss what to pack, how to organise equipment and how to transport it. There are some really good solutions available; share your own experience with us.

References