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Selecting the right stretchers is an important decision for healthcare facilities. Stretchers are not only a means of moving patients, but they can also directly impact patient safety, staff efficiency, and the quality of care. The correct stretchers help medical facilities reduce the risk of patient falls, minimize staff back injuries, and streamline workflow.
This post will explore the:
- Different Types of Stretchers
- Key Stretcher Features to Consider
- Best Practices for Purchasing Stretchers
Different Types of Stretchers
It is essential to recognize that not all patient transfers are the same. Emergency personnel and healthcare professionals rely on a variety of stretchers, each engineered with unique features to address specific patient needs, environments, and medical situations. From the dynamic conditions of an accident to specialized care within a hospital, understanding the distinct types of stretchers is essential.
At the risk of stating the obvious, choosing the right type of stretcher depends on its primary use.
Emergency Stretchers are built for rapid response and transport.
- Ambulance Stretchers are designed to be easily loaded and unloaded from ambulances. These stretchers are often equipped with a motorized or hydraulic lift system to reduce physical strain on EMTs.
- Scoop Stretchers: Split lengthwise into two halves, these stretchers "scoop" a patient without rolling or lifting, a critical feature for patients with suspected spinal injuries.
- Spine Boards are rigid, flat boards used to immobilize patients with suspected spinal trauma.
Transport Stretchers (Gurneys) are the workhorses of in-hospital patient movement. They are used to move patients between departments, such as from the emergency room to radiology or from a patient floor to an operating room.
Specialty Stretchers are designed for specific clinical needs.
- Bariatric Stretchers feature a wider surface area and greater weight capacity to safely accommodate obese patients.
- Pediatric Stretchers: Sized for children and infants these stretchers are often equipped with crib-style rails for added safety.
- Radiology/MRI-Compatible stretchers are constructed of non-magnetic materials safe for use in imaging environments.
- Surgical/Procedural Stretchers are designed to be used as an operating surface for minor procedures and are engineered with features like Trendelenburg positioning.
Folding/Portable Stretchers are lightweight, collapsible, and ideal for field use, disaster response, or in facilities with limited storage space.
Stretcher Chairs are versatile patient transportation stretchers engineered to transition from a flat stretcher to an upright chair. These hybrid transportation stretchers often feature motorized height, back, and leg positions to help minimize back strain on healthcare professionals.
Shop CME Corp. for patient transport stretchers
Key Stretcher Features to Consider
A high-quality stretcher is defined by features that prioritize both patient and healthcare professional safety, patient comfort, and usability. When evaluating stretchers, patient safety and provider ergonomics are the most critical features to consider for stretchers intended for daily clinical use.
Look for stretchers with these features:
Safety Features:
- Side Rails that lock in place securely to help prevent patient falls.
- Restraints/Straps to keep patients securely in place during transport.
- Locking Wheels: Central or four-wheel locking systems prevent unexpected movement during patient transfer or care.
- Hydraulic/Electric Adjustment helps reduce the physical strain on staff which by extension lowers the risk of back injuries.
Patient Comfort:
- Padding and Mattress that feature a non-porous surface that is comfortable and easy to disinfect.
- Adjustable backrests, leg rests, and height adjustments for patient comfort and caregiver accessibility to the patient during procedures.
Staff Usability:
- Maneuverability: Large, medical-grade casters and a retractable fifth wheel for easy steering in tight spaces are the go-to feature for ease of use.
- Durability in the form of a robust frame made from materials such as reinforced aluminum or steel.
- Weight Capacity must be great enough to safely accommodate a wide range of patient weights.
Best Practices for Purchasing Stretchers
Selecting medical stretchers demands a comprehensive assessment of clinical needs and operational environments within the healthcare setting. Factors to consider include patient weight capacity, maneuverability, and integration with existing medical equipment. Ultimately, the chosen equipment must maximize patient safety and comfort while offering ergonomic features that protect healthcare staff from injury.
Although not exhaustive, here is a sample evaluation checklist:
Assess Your Needs: What is the primary purpose of the stretcher? Consider the typical patient population, the environment it will be used in (e.g., tight hallways, uneven terrain), and the procedures it needs to support.
Evaluate Long-Term Value: While the initial cost is a factor, investing in durable, high-quality equipment saves money in the long run through reduced maintenance, fewer repairs, and a longer lifespan. High quality medical equipment not only protects your staff from potential injuries and but also your facility from liability suits.
Consider Vendor Support: Inquire about manufacturer warranties in addition to service contracts and staff training offered by your healthcare equipment distributor. A reliable equipment distribution relationship is essential for preventive maintenance and repairs.
Request a Demo: Schedule a demonstration to allow your staff to test the stretcher's maneuverability, features, and ease of use in your actual facility.
Choosing the right stretcher is a strategic investment in the safety and efficiency of your facility. We encourage you to evaluate your specific patient transport needs through your healthcare equipment distribution partner. Requesting demos and comparing features side-by-side will help you make an informed decision that will raise the bar on the quality of care for your patients and the safety of your team.
Partner with CME Corp. for Patient Transport Stretchers
CME Corp. is the United States’ largest specialty distributor. We are solely focused on equipment used in healthcare and have built long term relationships with industry leading manufacturers of patient transportation stretchers.
Our expert account managers will work with you and the manufacturers’ representatives to evaluate and purchase stretchers that answer the clinical needs and budget of your facility.
Complementing CME’s expert focus on equipment used in healthcare are project management direct-to-site delivery, and biomedical and technical services.
Dedicated project management teams will ensure your patient transport stretchers are assembled and delivered according to your specifications by our in-house Direct-to-Site services, when it is convenient for staff.
For over 45 years (and counting) biomedical and technical services have been at the heart of CME Corp’s integrated services. We offer preventive maintenance contracts, stretcher repair, and asset tagging services through our in-house teams of biomedical technicians across the country. CME’s services are warranted for ninety (90) days under normal operating procedures.
Click CHAT to start the conversation about patient transport stretchers.
Find your account manager and partner with CME Corp. for a wide variety of stretchers.
About CME: CME Corp is the nation’s premier specialty distributor of healthcare and life sciences equipment. We partner with over 2,000 manufacturers to offer more than 2 million products across healthcare, laboratory, pharmacy, and research sectors. In addition to an extensive product portfolio, we also offer project management, CAD design, warehousing, logistics, consolidated direct-to-site delivery, and biomedical and technical services, all staffed by CME employees. Our mission, to help healthcare facilities nationwide reduce the cost of the equipment they purchase, make their equipment acquisition, delivery, installation, and maintenance processes more efficient, and help them seamlessly launch, renovate, or expand on schedule, is supported by 25 service locations strategically located across the country.
