Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you spot an injured person, but you have no idea where to start from? Getting patients out of confined spaces that aren’t accessible by road is a headache.
Having the required equipment makes the situation more straightforward to keep the patient secure enough to be safely rescued.
Stretchers are often used in emergencies to convey patients who cannot move, walk, or are unconscious. Different patients require different stretchers to feel comfortable and safe when being ferried from one point to another.
Today, we take a closer look at the types of patients who require stretchers.
1 – Spinal Or Limb Injury Patients
When the spinal cord is injured, a patient cannot walk or move freely. The patient may lose function or mobility in different sections of the body, depending on the degree of the injury.
What is the ideal stretcher to use for a patient with spinal or limb injury?
Spine boards are the best stretchers to use during this emergency. Below is a photo showing what a spine board looks like.
Alt: spine board
The majority of spine boards are built from wood or plastic. They are usually used in addition to cervical collars and side-head supports to prevent neck and head movement of the patients.
Immobilization straps are placed on a spine board that is slightly larger than the standard human body size. There are two categories of spine boards: long spine boards and short spine boards.
Long spine boards are used with a cervical collar to:
- Transport unconscious patients
- Reduce undesired movement
- Cover a rough terrain.
Longboards are typically 18 inches broad by 72 inches long.
On the other hand, short spine boards are temporary boards utilized in tight spaces until a patient can be transported to a long spine board. Short boards are typically 18 inches broad and 32 inches long.
2 – Obese Patients
Did you know that more than 60% of adults in the United States are overweight? Overweight people are more likely to be sick than those who are not. Obesity poses a danger for physicians and patients and harms one’s health.
Medical professionals need a stretcher to accommodate the size and weight of obese patients. Without a good knowledge of stretchers, you can end up using inappropriate ones, for that matter, causing more injuries.
So, which stretcher is ideal for obese patients? An ambulance stretcher would be a perfect fit for the following reasons:
- Most ambulance stretchers are incredibly robust while remaining lightweight to facilitate patient loading and unloading.
- They can adjust to different situations. In some cases, patients may be required to sit up or have their lower limbs elevated while being transported.
- Emergency medical service personnel who are always at risk of a back injury during lifting can now lift patients from the ground with ease.
- There is no need to lift a patient; a single person can transfer a patient on wheels in most circumstances.
Below is a photo of an ambulance stretcher.
Alt: simple ambulance stretcher
3 – Seated Medical Patients
Not all patients have the ability to move around freely. Some receive their medical attention while seated.
You might be wondering how these patients move from one room of medication to another, especially when they have to go through the stairs. They have to use a stretcher, and not all stretchers would be ideal.
Stair stretches are lifesavers for patients who receive medical attention while seated. Stair stretchers allow patients to move freely along stairs. The most commonly used stair stretchers include:
- Normal stair stretchers
- Belting system gliding stair stretchers
- Fully automatic gliding stair stretchers
Normal Stair Stretcher
These stretchers have four wheels, but one person holds the back handles to go down or up the stairs, and the other holds the extendable front handles. They both lift the chair entirely in their hands. You can fold the chair to save on space when not in use. Check out a normal stair stretcher photo below:
Alt: Normal chair stretcher
Belting System Gliding Stretcher
Belting system gliding stretchers resemble regular stair stretchers, but they have a belting system in the back in addition to four wheels.
To move these stretchers up and downstairs:
- Lengthen the belting system.
- Shift all weight onto the belts.
- Slowly move the stretcher up and down the stairs, usually only holding the main back handle.
- Finally, fold the belting system stretcher and use it as a regular wheelchair on the floor.
These stretchers have two belting systems: motor-powered and manual.
Motor-powered belting systems are much easier and safer to use, while manual belting systems rely heavily on physical strength and can be taxing.
You can easily fold the main seat, belting system, handle(s) and then store the stretcher in a small space.
The photo below shows a patient on a motor-powered belting systems stretcher.
Alt: motor-powered belting system stretcher
Fully Automatic Gliding Stair Stretcher
These are not precisely stretchers; they are more like entirely automatic wheelchairs.
These automatic stretchers include an innovative motor-powered belting system. The system touches the ground by pressing a button to ascend or descend steps. The user can use them without the assistance of anyone else. These are the most expensive stair stretchers available. Below is what they look like.
Alt: fully automatic gliding stair stretcher
4 – Sick Or Injured Children
With sports camps and more scheduled activities, kids are more likely to participate in their favorite sport all year.
When kids spend more time on the field, they are prone to sports-related injuries, such as ACL and torn meniscus in the knee. Sick or injured children have to find their way to hospitals for medication after these accidents.
Use pedi-board stretchers in such instances. They are short in length and made specifically for children. Most pedi-board stretchers have the following main features:
- They are small in size to allow them to maneuver in tight spaces.
- They have several replaceable straps on hand to keep the fearful, injured children safe.
- Built-in attaching loops ensure a secure grip during travel.
- Easy to carry along since they are lightweight.
- They are cozy to enhance the comfort of the children.
Conclusion
Stretchers play a significant role in rescuing patients of different complications. Obtaining the most appropriate stretchers might be a challenge for many people. Ensure you source your stretchers from a well-established supplier to guarantee you quality and longer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weight of an ambulance stretcher?
About 140 pounds average. It all depends on the size and the type of material used to make it.
How much does a spinal board cost?
Between USD 30 and USD 90. The cost will also depend on the design and quality of the spine board.
Why use stretchers?
Stretchers enhance comfort and convenience when moving patients from one point to another.
