Your Guide to Buying Funeral Equipment in South Carolina
Latest Advances in Ambulance Stretchers: A Buyer’s Guide
5 Key Features to Consider When Purchasing Mortuary Cots
Top Features to Look for in the Best Hydraulic Embalming Table from Mobimedical
Portable vs. Fixed Embalming Tables: Which is Right for Your Funeral Home?
It is easy to have an accident if you are not paying attention, and stretcher falls are more common than you may think. If you happen to be transporting someone on a stretcher, you will need to be extremely careful in order to prevent any unnecessary accidents and provide them with a smooth and comfortable ride. Here are a few things to consider when you are transporting a patient on a stretcher.
Most common causes of stretcher tipping:
-
Being careless
-
Not using or improperly using the patient restraints
-
Losing control of the stretcher during transport
-
Collision with an unseen obstacle
-
Improper movements
How to prevent stretcher tipping
-
Be aware of your surroundings. Most stretcher accidents are due to carelessness and not paying attention to your surroundings. Even if you are stressed for time, you should always be careful, steady and cautious in your movements.
-
Employ friction-reducing items. You could use items such as a mega mover, transfer tarp, slide boards, or even trash bags to assist in transporting you’re patient. These items are extremely useful to add to your stretcher routine and can help cut down on the number of stretcher accidents you may have.
-
Always use the stretcher restraints. The vast majority of stretchers will already come with restraints. These items are not for decoration. They serve an important purpose and should always be used with the stretcher. Once you transfer a patient to the stretcher, your number one priority should be to properly restrain them with the stretcher restraints provided. These handy accessories can prevent many stretcher accidents from happening.
-
Always roll your stretcher properly and carefully. In order to maintain the best control and maneuverability, always roll the stretcher from your waist. In order to maintain the highest safety for your patient, always roll the stretcher feet first. You should also push the stretcher from the direction of your patient’s head and avoiding pulling the stretcher.
In order to provide your patients with the best service and keep them comfortable and safe during their stretcher transports, please remember the tips above. Stretcher transport may seem like an easy task, but if you are careless and do not follow the proper safety protocols, accidents can easily happen. So stay aware and be cautious in order to give your patients the safest ride possible.