How to Operate an Ambulance Stretcher

An ambulance stretcher is a type of hospital gurney. It has a light tubular framework that holds a patient and the critical life support equipment required to treat that patient. Modern ambulance stretchers are so technologically advanced that they're easy to move on almost any terrain.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Release the safety latch. Press the mechanical controls, usually hand levers, to release the foot and the legs of the stretcher first and then the head in the legs.

2. Make sure the stretcher is locked into place so it doesn't collapse once the injured person is put on it. Adjust the height to a level that make it easier to operate.

3. Position the injured person on the stretcher. Secure the straps so the patient doesn't get jostled around as the ambulance stretcher is moved. How the straps are secured will depend on the injury and whether or not the patient is moving a lot, thus increasing the chance of aggravating his wounds.

4. Bring the ambulance stretcher with the patient into the ambulance. Secure the stretcher to the ambulance with the locking mechanism specially designed for this purpose.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful not to get your fingers or other limbs trapped in the stretcher's moving parts when collapsing it.
• Comprehensive training is usually required to learn how to operate an ambulance stretcher effectively. There are simply too many different types, like those with automatic or semi-automatic retraction, for a single operating technique to work for all.
• For safe operation of an ambulance stretcher, it needs to be properly maintained by appropriate staff. Interim checks should be scheduled and operators should be encouraged to attend these maintenance sessions.

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[xxkurtxx]

on 7/2/2009 The patient is always moved feet first looking forwards to avoid the possibility of the patient's head being hit if the stretcher were to collide with something. However, the stretcher is always loaded into the ambulance head first so that the patient can easily be accessed inside the ambulance.

[ambumed]

on 11/3/2008 I need to know wich are te correct way to move the patient trhough emergency area-ambulance and ambulance-medical facility. The patient feets first (look forward) or the head first (backward)and why?

(sorry my english) have a nice day