It’s crucial to use the proper equipment when carrying out any rescue. A stretcher that ensures effective immobilization is essential when transporting patients with multiple injuries. There are a few stretchers designed to carry patients with various injuries.
Today, we discuss the best stretcher for these patients.
A scoop stretcher is the best for moving a patient with multiple injuries. Its two interlocking halves allow a paramedic to gently scoop the patient by locking them together. It will enable you to load the patent without rolling or lifting maneuvers. The reduced movement protects the casualty from further injuries during transportation.
Specifications and Features
The scoop stretcher is a specialized stretcher that allows paramedics to transport patients with severe injuries. Its clever scooping design lets you keep the patient immobilized as you place them on the stretcher.
Specifications
The scoop stretcher can support a maximum weight of 159 kilograms.
The scoop stretcher weights eight kilograms, allowing you to carry it alone like the paramedic in the image below:
You can separate the two halves and fold the stretcher to occupy a smaller storage space. This feature allows you to adjust its size according to the casualty’s height. When folded, the scoop stretcher is 1.2 meters long, 0.445 meters wide, and 0.07 meters thick.
When unfolded, it has a maximum length of 2.02 meters. Its width and thickness remain the same.
Features
The scoop stretcher has multiple features that make it the best for handling casualties with severe injuries. These include:
- Interlocking pieces. The stretched interlocking halves allow you to scoop the casualty without lifting or using log-roll maneuvers. The stretcher eliminates movements that could worsen the casualty’s injuries.
- A recessed head section. This recession allows you to align the casualty’s cervix correctly.
- A twin safety locking (TLS) mechanism. This mechanism allows for a smooth joining and separating.
- Made from a thermally-treated polymer. This material acts as a heat shield that maintains the casualty’s temperature within comfortable levels. The polymer is also lightweight to reduce the weight you will have to lift.
- A narrow foot-end frame. This frame design improves your handling of the stretcher when rescuing the casualty from confined regions.
- Radiolucent. This feature is critical because it allows you to X-ray the patient without having to remove them from the stretcher. The radiation will not affect the temperature of the stretcher.
- Adjustable length options. Depending on the casualty’s dimensions, you can adjust it to four different settings.
- Easy to clean and disinfect. This feature allows you to reuse the stretcher without fearing cross-infections.
Loading the Patient
Using the scoop stretcher requires some training because it is a specialized stretcher. Attending to and carrying the casualty from the emergency scene typically follows the following stages.
Stage 1: The Preparation Stage
The preparation stage involves preparing the stretcher and the casualty for the process.
Preparing the scoop stretcher involves:
- Ensuring the stretcher has all its components.
- Ensuring the stretcher doesn’t have any damage that could compromise its functioning.
- Separating the two halves in readiness for the process. This process involves pressing the stretcher’s buttons at the head and foot sections. The two halves will separate automatically.
Preparing the patient typically involves immobilizing them so you can get them on the stretcher without worsening their injuries. It also helps to secure them during transportation.
The immobilization process should begin with you aligning the casualty. You can do this by making the patient lie on their back, feet together, and arms crossed around their stomach area.
Next, apply the cervical collar. This collar will keep the casualty’s neck region immobilized. Depending on the patient’s injuries, you may also need to apply the head immobilizer.
Here’s how an immobilized neck region should look like
You must also align the casualty’s jugular area with the tiny lateral holes on the scoop stretcher’s head section.
Stage 2: Using the Scoop Stretcher
Loading the casualty on the stretcher is easy and takes only a few steps.
Step 1: Position the two halves on each side of the patient. You need to be at least two paramedics for this step. One paramedic should handle the head area and the second one the patient’s feet. If the injuries are severe, you may need a third paramedic to hold the patient’s head for extra safety.
Step 2: Push the two halves underneath the patient. Begin with the head section. Once the two ends of the locking mechanism at the head have touched, lock them together.
Step 3: lock the foot TLS. As the other paramedic holds the casualty’s head, the second one proceeds to lock TLS at the foot of the area. Once the TLS mechanism is locked, the patient will be safely scooped onto the stretcher.
Step 4: Secure the casualty. We recommend that you secure the patient using four restraints.
- Two restraints to secure the chest region. Apply these restraints cross-figuratively.
- One restraint at the patient’s legs. Apply these restraints trans-figuratively.
- One restraint to hold the patient’s foot. Apply these restraints using a figure-eight layout.
Here’s an illustration of a well-secured patient:
The patient is now well-secured and ready to be transported to the hospital.
Conclusion
Handling a patient with multiple injuries requires a specialized stretcher. Few stretchers can handle patients with severe injuries. The scoop stretcher is the best because it guarantees immobility. But you must immobilize your patent before carrying them on the scoop stretcher.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary advantage of the scoop stretcher?
The primary advantage of the scoop stretcher is that it allows you to load your patient without lifting or rolling them. Minimizing the patient’s movement means fewer injuries during transportation. You would have to roll or lift the patient with other stretcher types. These movements could cause further injuries to the patient or worsen current ones.
How many people are required to use the scoop stretcher?
At least two people are required to use a scoop stretcher since the stretcher needs to be carried. One paramedic carries the head area while the other holds the feet. You could include other paramedics to lift the side areas if the patient is heavy.
Can the stretcher be used to carry tall people?
Yes. The scoop stretcher’s height is adjustable. It can stretch up to two meters. You can also adjust it to carry shorter casualties.
