Protect Your Backs and Safely Load Patients Into Ambulances
Question: We are a small ambulance service that provides emergency transportation and patient care in a rural area. Our emergency medical technicians (EMTs) have to provide services in a variety of conditions and across various terrain, which means it can be difficult to load the stretcher into the rig at times. Are there tools or upgrades available that can make it easier to get patients into the ambulance? South Dakota Subscriber Answer: Attempting to load a stretcher with a patient into an ambulance can be difficult on level ground — let alone on uneven terrain. One way that companies are improving this process is by adding technology to the stretchers. One example comes from Ferno Norden, whose power stretcher features a power lift technology that elevates and loads the stretcher into the ambulance. This reduces strain on the EMTs and paramedics. Another example of a company’s power stretcher is Stryker. Its hydraulic system allows for easy manual lifting and loading while an integrated software allows dispatch to view the stretcher’s last known location. Each ambulance cot is also outfitted with lights so your crew and patients can remain visible in dark or dimly lit conditions. Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC
