Wheeled Stretcher: Two basic types of stretchers are used: the two-person and the one-person. The two-person requires two EMTs to lift and load in the ambulance, whereas, the one-person stretcher has special loading wheels at the head that allows one EMT to load it into the ambulance. Stretchers are usually adjustable to different heights and different angles. Some can be adjusted to elevate the legs (Trendelenberg position). Additional equipment may be attached to the stretchers including oxygen, IV lines, and cardiac monitors or defibrillators. Show
Guidelines for Moving Stretchers
Loading the Ambulance
Unloading the Ambulance
Stair Chair These are designed for patients that can sit up while being carried. They are useful for taking patients up or down stairs, or through narrow passageways. The patient must be transferred to the stretcher once back at the ambulance. The extremity lift is used to place the patient in the stair chair. All belts and straps must be secured before moving patient. The patients wrists may be loosely tied to prevent grabbing onto fixtures and causing loss of balancewhen moving them. The chair is tilted slightly backwards to allow movement with the wheels on the chair. Long Backboard There are several styles of backboards:
The importance of a backboard is in spinal immobilization and moving the patient, especially during rapid extrication, and providing secondary support when using a short spineboard. Short Backboard This is used when a spinal injury is suspected and the patient is in a seated position. They made be made from wood, aluminum, or plastic. A vest type is also used when a patient is found inside a small car or place. It wraps around the patient and has all the straps attached or enclosed. Scoop (Orthopedic) Stretcher This is designed to easily lift supine patients. The stretcher is made of a rectangular aluminum tube with V-shaped lifts to "scoop" patients from the floor or ground without changing their position. Its greatest advantage is that it can be used in confined spaces where other stretchers cannot fit. The scoop may be used to initially lift the patient with a suspected spine injury. The patient should then be placed immediately on a long backboard for immobilization. If no spine injury is suspected, the scoop can then be placed with patient onto the stretcher for transport. The following steps are used with the scoop stretcher:
Flexible Stretcher Do not use the flexible, or "pole" stretcher if spine injury is suspected. It is designed for the following uses:
Patient Positioning EMTs should consider not only the best equipment to use but the position of the patient. The following general rules apply:
Wheeled ambulance stretcher (ambulance stretcher, Gurney, or stretcher)*Most commonly used device to transport and move patients* it's a specially designed structure that can be rolled along the ground and weighs between 40 and 145 pounds (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Features and how to work the stretcher*The stretcher has a specific head end and foot end* has a strong metal frame, and should be pulled pushed and lifted only by the main frame or handles*mattress must be fluid resistant * patients must always be secured with straps on the stretcherBackboard (Long backboards, spine boards, trauma boards, long boards)* A long flat board made of rigid, rectangular material* used to carry patients and to immobilize supine patients with suspected hip, pelvic, spinal, and lower extremity injuries or other multiple trauma in accordance with local protocols*6 to 7 feet long, commonly used for patients who are found lying downAfter delivering the patient to the ED (emergency department) you and your team must begin preparation for your next call, what does this process of evaluation include?* procedures that need more practice* equipment that needs to be cleaned* skills that you need to review or acquireThe relationship between the bodies anatomical structures in the physical force is associated with lifting, moving and carrying(The ways in which the body moves to achieve a specific action)What is a good use of body mechanics?Maintaining proper posture and body movement during daily activitiesUsing good body mechanics while lifting and moving patients reduces your risk of injuryWhat is the correct way to lift something?Always keep your back in a straight up right position, and lift without twistingFace the patient and keep your feet pointed in the same directionIf you need to turn with a patient, change the direction of your feet instead of twistingBend down with your legs, and then extend your legs to lift back upLifting by extending the properly placed flexed legsWhenever you grasp a stretcher or backward, your hand should be at least 10 inches apart with your palms facing up. Then move your hands forwards until your thumb is tightly pressed against the object, and then curl your fingers and thumb tightly over the handleWhat do you do when performing a body drag?Your back should always be locked in a slight curve and you should be flexing your abs, keep your back in its normal upright position and avoid any twisting.What can you do to minimize distance you have to lean over when pulling a patient?How far do you extend your arms when pulling?No more than 15 to 20 inches in front of your torsoHow do you pull the patient in when you are in the correct positionYou slowly flex your arms, once you have no room left you move back another 15 to 20 inchesWhen normally pulling a patient, is it OK to pull the patient as you move at the same time?No, because it will prevent undesirable jostling of the patient and can protect a sudden force that will occur across your spineHow to reach and Pull a patient safelyA. Kneel to pull a patient who is on the groundB. When pulling, your elbow should only extend just beyond anterior torsoC. Bend your knees to pull a patient who is a different-you are. Position your feet or knees to balance the forceHow to perform A body drag with an EMT on each side of the patient1. Kneel just beyond the patients shoulder facing his or her groin, extend one arm across the front of your chest and grasp the armpit, and extend across your chest and grab the patients belt with the other arm2. Raise your elbows and flex your arms to pull the patientHow to log roll a patientYou will initially have to reach farther than 18 inches, to minimize the reach distance, Kneel as close to the patients side leaving only enough room so that your knees will not prevent the patient from being rolled. To minimize the amount of time you are extended, rolled a patient without stopping until the patient is resting on his or her side and braced against your thighsWhat is the common adult patient weight?Between 120 and 220 poundsWhat weight should you not attempt to lift a person without four providers or more?A diamond Carry is when a patient on a backboard or structure is lifted by four providers with one at the head, one at the feet, and one on each sideWhere should the stronger provider be positioned with a backboard?Definition of emergency moveWhen there is the potential of danger around, use an emergency move to drag or pull a patient to a safe place before assessment and carerapid extrication techniqueThe rapid extrication technique makes it so that the patient can be moved from sitting in the vehicle to supine, and on a backboard if needed in one minute or less. This increase injury risk if there's a spinal problem however.Used for patients with no suspected spinal injury who are found lying supine on the ground. Ideally three providers should be there, but two works tooCan be used for patients with no suspected extremity or spinal injuries who are lying supine or sittingWhat's a transfer move and give an exampleA transfer move is a way to transfer the patient from a bed onto the stretcherFor example... the direct CarryWhat are two physiological changes in older people that you need to pay special attention to as an EMT?1. Skeletal changes2. FearKind of like a wheeled stretcher (modified for obese people) however it has a widened patient surface area for increased comfort, as well as a wide wheel base so that it doesn't feel as a rough off terrain. It can go up to 850 or 900 pounds as wellPortable/folding stretchersPortable stretcher is a stretcher with a strong, rectangular, tubular metal frame and a rigid fabric stretched across it. Any ambulances carry one to use if a patient is in a difficult area to reach with a wheeled ambulance stretcher or if there's a second patientA flexible stretcher forms a rigid stretcher that forms around the patients sides and does not extend beyond them. They are useful when you must remove a patient from a confined space, or if a patient must be belayed or repelled by ropesUsed to immobilize the torso, head, and neck of a seated patient with a suspected spinal injury until you can immobilize the patient onto a backboardA patient is placed on the mattress and air is removed around the device, allowing it to mold around the patient. This can be useful for limiting pressure point tenderness, and high immobilization and comfort and insulationBasket stretcher (stokes litter)Use a basket stretcher to carry a patient across uneven terrain from a remote location that is inaccessible by an ambulance or other vehicle. If you suspect a spinal injury, secures the person on a backboard and then placed a backboard into the basket stretcherDesigned to be split into two or four pieces. The sections are fitted around the patient was lying on the ground. Then you reconnect it and lift a person on to a backboard or stretcherSafely transport a neonatal patient, they must be placed inside of an Isolette, sometimes referred to as an incubator. This keeps them warm with moistened air in a clean environment and helps protect the infant. The Isolette is either placed directly on top of the wheeled stretcher and secured with seatbelts, or a freestanding Isolette is secured in the back of an ambulanceAlways decontaminate your equipment after using it every call, to prevent the spread of disease and to protect you, your partners, and whoever uses it after you |