In an emergency, there’s often a need to safely transport a patient. The standard way to do this is with a stretcher. Emergency medical service personnel often use this type of equipment to take patients from the immediate place where they were located to an ambulance.

Stretchers may also be used for transportation within a hospital or other health care facility. When using an EMS stretcher for any purpose, it’s important to keep the following safety tips in mind.

Opt for Level Ground When Possible

It’s safest for both transporters and patients if a stretcher is on level ground. This is recommended to prevent one of the EMS responders from accidentally losing their footing or balance. It also ensures a smooth ride for patients.

Check the Wheels on the Stretcher

Check wheels to make sure they are secure. Also, brakes need to be inspected to confirm that they are working properly. Stable wheels and properly functioning brakes can minimize the risk of the patient sliding. They also prevent a stretcher from moving when it’s placed on elevated ground.

Assess the Weight of the Patient

While stretchers are designed to be durable, they have to be capable of holding the weight of the patient. In some situations, a stretcher also has to support equipment during transport. Quickly assessing a patient’s general weight and body type can allow EMS personnel to grab the correct stretcher with the right weight capacity.

Look at the Stretcher’s Legs

The legs of the stretcher should be periodically checked. Between uses, any loose bolts or screws should be tightened. As the patient is lifted or lowered, the stretcher also needs to be checked to make sure it’s locked in place to prevent a sudden collapse that could further injure the patient.

Properly Place the Stretcher

Proper handling of a stretcher also includes the placement of the stretcher into the ambulance. It should be securely locked in place once lifted into the ambulance to minimize movement during the ride to the hospital.

Hold the Handles During Transfers

When patients are shifted in or out of an ambulance, the handles need to be held as the stretcher is pushed into the area where it will be placed. Only when the stretcher is in place should medical staff let go of the handles. The stretcher’s handles should also be firmly held during stretcher-to-bed transfers, or vice-versa.

Having an EMS stretcher available when it’s needed is just as important for hospitals and emergency medical service providers as keeping safe handling guidelines in mind. A cost-effective way to do this is to consider refurbished options available from trusted sources like Coast Biomedical Equipment. Refurbished stretchers and similar products are restored as per factory specifications by certified technicians.