You may have regularly seen them used, but today it is time to cover how they are put into practice. This article takes a look at handling stretchers for patients, and everything you need to know!
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Short answer: the main types of stretchers include wheeled, basket, spine board, stair chair, ambulance/medical, portable and scoop stretchers.
Certain first aid or medical situations require careful and easy movement of
patients/casualties to or from a desired location (such as to the ER).
In times that it is necessary to transport a patient from a location to a
medical/adequate setting where they can be treated, a stretcher serves this
purpose well.
It is not an easy task to remove a delicate or injured person, both for the victim
and the helper.
A stretcher is equipped with features that make this a much safer and easier task.
Let’s cover some of their primary uses:
What are some uses of stretchers?
Patients may not be able to be easily transported, so a stretcher allows movement of an injured individual.
Depending on where the incident has occurred, it may firstly be necessary to re-
locate the person to a place that doesn’t present any further danger.
A stretcher allows them to be shifted to then receive or wait for medical help.
(An example of this would be an accident/dangerous setting.)
Even in a non-emergency setting, some patients are unable to be moved without
a stretcher: e.g broken limbs, so on and so forth.
They may assist with loading/transport, such as to a medical transport vehicle for
instance.
The important function of a stretcher is that it allows prevention of further injury - and is optimal over say, carrying an injured person manually.
So generally, in whatever setting they are harnessed a stretcher will provide a safer movement method.
As we touched on above, stretchers are specifically designed to support movement of patients who are either injured/incapacitated or require careful movement for any reason.
This can be due to numerous factors, such as:
Some examples of patients that may require a stretcher include:
In general, a stretcher will typically be used for a patient who has experienced either an injury or a medical episode.
However, sometimes they are also used in other contexts for situations that aren’t emergencies.
For example:
Let’s take a look at some of the main different types of stretchers.
Note also that within each form of stretcher, there can be many different features, types or models of the specific stretcher.
Types of stretchers:
Wheeled stretchers help provide fast, easy movement due to their wheels - often to an ambulance or hospital.
They are good for loading patients into the vehicle.
These stretchers also serve to carry other forms of stretchers (like portable/spine boards).
Basket stretchers are made of sturdy materials, with loops/handles built in.
They can be used in many applications, including difficult situations that require a tough stretcher.
A spine/backboard is designed to help the patient maintain a strict, aligned and rigid position while they are being moved.
They may be used for spinal and limb injuries in which this is important. This includes helping transport patients onto an ambulance stretcher.
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Spine boards are slim and flat.
A portable stretcher is lighter and foldable/collapsible.
It is a flat stretcher with handles to help carry the patient.
These can also be handy for narrow areas.
The stair chair allows movement in a seated position and can be good for narrow places (like stairways) where a traditional stretcher is difficult to manoeuvre.
A scoop stretcher is made of a firm material and is able to be split in two to scoop the patient up (hence the name).
This is done from each side of their body - forming a scoop.
They are suitable for easy movement without lifting.
Ambulance stretchers may also be wheeled, but are suitable specifically for use in their designated setting.
They are designed for use in an ambulance or transportation to hospital while the patient lies down.
Instructions for handling a stretcher:
Note: before you begin, you will want to establish a few vital things.
General steps:
Note: you should not bend the neck/head of a person with a spinal cord injury. They may have a cervical collar fitted to keep the neck aligned - or ensure it remains so. “Log roll” them instead - which involves turning them in one motion without flexing the spine.
Both of these terms refer to commonly used pieces of equipment.
However, there are some basic differences between a stretcher and a gurney - which we cover below.
Stretcher vs a gurney - in basic terms
Simply put: the legs of a gurney are fitted with wheels. It can essentially be considered a moveable/wheelable stretcher, per say.
Often, this will be to a hospital or facility.
The gurney is able to stand alone, supported by its frame and wheels.
This is in contrast to a stretcher, which needs to be lifted.
A gurney will also typically contain straps that serve to fit/secure the patient into
position as they are moved.
Stretchers do not need to contain this, although they may.
A gurney may be easier to move, as stretchers do not have wheels.
What is the best type of stretcher for a confined space/area?
Portable, stair chair and spine board stretchers best suit this purpose - due to their slim, flexible and/or light nature.
How many people does it require to handle a stretcher?
A gurney is the only option that can be operable by one person, though this may be unideal.
Generally, it is best to have 2 people at minimum - all the way up to 4.
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