Stretcher straps configuration

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Hi everyone. I'm quite new at this profession; still many things to learn. Just looking for some opinions.

My question is about what is the proper way to strap a patient to stretcher. Specifically across the chest. It seems from my own experience that the vast number of people I work with tend to wrap the patient in blankets and then throw the strap over the top of everything, so their arms are also strapped in.
It would seem to me, that it makes sense to put the chest strap under the arms before they are covered up, so they still have full use of their arms.


What are other people's thoughts on this?
 
It's done both ways very commonly
 
I think it's all personal preference.
I place the straps under the arms since it makes acquiring a BP and such enroute a bit easier.
 
It depends on several factors, conditions, what the patients wants, weather related issues, and even what medic I am working with.
 
Take home message: be adaptable, and not just with stretcher straps. Plus you can always readjust once in the rig.
 
The way I was taught was to only go over the arms if they weren't conscious so the arms didn't move about.
 
I was asked them to pick their arms up. If they can't, they get strapped in. The important thing to remember, don't overlook the shoulder straps. I've been on several ambulances where the shoulder straps are tucked behind the head of the stretcher. Use them. If the ambulance stops quickly, the patient will rocket off the end of the stretcher and impale whoever is sitting in the airway seat. Also, the liability of not using all the straps when you secure a patient will hang you in court.
 
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Unless I have a good reason not to, I always put the top strap high on the chest under the arms and the bottom strap right above the knees. It makes it much more difficult for someone to come up off the pram.
 
Same here, though I have co-workers that throw a fit when the straps are up higher than they prefer. I guess it's better to let a patient that can't support themselves roll halfway off the cot (no shoulder straps around here). The straps on modern stretchers could do with better engineering, they haven't improved much. An easier way to adjust their position on the stretcher connection side (instead of removing the entire straps and rethreading it) and a self-contained roller system to keep loose straps out of the way would be amazing.
 
Kevinf said:
Same here, though I have co-workers that throw a fit when the straps are up higher than they prefer. I guess it's better to let a patient that can't support themselves roll halfway off the cot (no shoulder straps around here). The straps on modern stretchers could do with better engineering, they haven't improved much. An easier way to adjust their position on the stretcher connection side (instead of removing the entire straps and rethreading it) and a self-contained roller system to keep loose straps out of the way would be amazing.
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I didn't think there were places that still omitted shoulder straps as that's a pretty big contradiction of the manufacturer's safe use of the device.

That said I try not to strap down patient's arms. They can still remain covered in blankets but I need to be able to slide an arm out for monitoring and/or IV access.
 
None of our stretchers have shoulder straps. We only have a chest strap and thigh strap.
 
Ew.
 
Tigger said:
I didn't think there were places that still omitted shoulder straps as that's a pretty big contradiction of the manufacturer's safe use of the device.

That said I try not to strap down patient's arms. They can still remain covered in blankets but I need to be able to slide an arm out for monitoring and/or IV access.
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We don't have them and the Ferno's that we have don't come with them.
 
Hmm I stand corrected. Do you guys by new prams when you get new cars? Those Fernos are pretty ordinal looking but super light.
 
I'm not sure what the pram replacement schedule is like, but we do still get new ones from time-to-time. Although for all I know somebody has a bunch of them stashed away in a garage or something.

And yeah, if we're not going to have a power pram (I want them), it's nice to have one that's very light.
 
Shoulder straps are part of our required equipment. If our gurney doesn't have them we do not go in service until we have them.
 
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