I dont know about everywhere.... I used the stair chair twice tonight, but I will also often bench people when appropriate. Some nights that's not at all, others it's damn near everyone. I'm not carrying people around for their minor ailments that don't truly warrant the use of an ambulance anyway.
Why do we love the stretcher in the United States?
- Thread starter MMiz
- Start date
RedBlanketRunner
Opheophagus Hannah Cuddler
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So. Pasadena area. House on top of a hill. 45 steps up to the front door. Driveway at the side had a hard switchback which was also the turn around area and always had a car or two in it so no turn around. Drive the unit up to the back of a house you would park on about a 10 degree angle and have to back down all the way to the street.
Entering the front of the house the narrow staircase was immediately to your right with not quite 3 feet from end of staircase to front wall. Patient, regular customer, lived upstairs. On the bright side she only weighed about 80 lbs.
Stair chair? We needed sky hooks.
Entering the front of the house the narrow staircase was immediately to your right with not quite 3 feet from end of staircase to front wall. Patient, regular customer, lived upstairs. On the bright side she only weighed about 80 lbs.
Stair chair? We needed sky hooks.
There anything you’ve not done or do you just feel the need to comment on everything.
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This forum is about sharing knowledge and experience, so members are free to comment on any topic they feel like provided our rules are followed.
DrParasite
The fire extinguisher is not just for show
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What the heck are you talking about? Seriously, I have no idea what you were trying to say.
With the situation you describe, you have several options: either stairchair the person from her location to the street where your ambulance is waiting, or stairchair her from her location out the front door to the waiting stretcher, then wheel her to the ambulance,
a non-ambulatory patient is almost always safer when transported over horizontal ground via the stretcher (esp if it's not all the way up). this is safer for the crew as well, as they aren't carrying the patient. A stairchair is a carrying device, which can be used for limited transportation if the ground is not horizontal.
but if they can safely ambulate, there is nothing clinically inappropriate about having them walk to the ambulance.
NomadicMedic
I know a guy who knows a guy.
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How many of you have worked at a place where it’s highly encouraged to put people on the stretcher and move them so the Medicare claim isn’t denied?
I’ll wait.
I’ll wait.
akflightmedic
Forum Deputy Chief
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0 times.
If they need wheels, they get wheels. If they do not need wheels and it is safe to ambulate, they ambulate. If I happen to have the stretcher there already and they can walk, I will usually just go ahead and give them the wheels.
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The private I worked at was like that...or at least the billing clerk was.
RedBlanketRunner
Opheophagus Hannah Cuddler
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What the heck are you talking about?
"Why do we love the stretcher in the United States?"
When transport crosses the line into extrication, you use, and do, whatever works. Unless of course there is some policy/mandate in place.But to answer @MMiz question, the answer becomes obvious when you look at the broader picture. Stretcher origin, 'modern use' originated mainly from the military on battlefield. This can be clearly seen in many third world countries this present day. Ambulances commonly pick-up trucks with camper shells, the stretchers standard military canvas grab and runs.
In the ambulance service I started in we had several of those canvas stretchers growing mold in the back of the barn. The early newer iterations of stretchers were made of steel and, let's just say, presented a hazard to both patient and ambulance attendant alike.
Over the years various countries produced their own versions of patient transport devices, along with certain standards of patient care. (Whack the patient out with a half grain of Morphine ring any distant bells?")
So the evolution of patient transport in the US followed it's own guidelines. I recall aluminum stretchers that had warnings of patient weight must not exceed 200 lbs. Some wonderful stretchers with folding legs that could easily take your fingers off. All sorts on interesting iterations on the theme.
And then viewing patient transport in other countries, the US has always been a little behind the times and tended to be stuck in ruts. Profits with equipment suppliers weighed in heavily while in socialized medicine countries the trend went towards what was best for both patient and attendants without regard for cost.
CCCSD
Forum Deputy Chief
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“...socialized medicine countries the trend went towards what was best for both patient and attendants without regard for cost.”
I‘m DYING!!!
I‘m DYING!!!
RedBlanketRunner
Opheophagus Hannah Cuddler
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F i n a n c i a l + R e s o u r c e s. 1+1= ?
Shows in many countries in Europe. Privately owned ambulance services cannot compete with state funded or subsidized operations when it comes to purchasing equipment and very often, levels of trainings.
Also, and it should go witthout saying, quality of equipment in the US varies significantly from locale to locale, depending on available funds.
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RedBlanketRunner
Opheophagus Hannah Cuddler
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Returning to the original question about stretchers. I would venture a guess that building codes factor in here. The US maintains accessibility requirements where in England and many countries in Europe, accessibility falls short of standards. A friend of mine's brother has a large construction business in England that only does renovations on older structures, often concentration on staircases and landings. Very narrtow staircases, little or even no landings, and other oddities like 6 foot or less ceilings are very common, especially in the outlying areas and grandfathered older constructions. That all adds up to stair chairs can be used just about anywhere but stretchers, not so much.
OceanBossMan263
Forum Crew Member
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I'm going to take a wild guess that at some point in the past, lawyers got involved, and from that point the stretcher was pushed to prevent patients from walking.
HunterTMars
Forum Crew Member
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We carry that model of stair chair. It doesn’t get used much. It’s a shame. It’s a great tool.
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I once worked for a service that said every patient gets a stretcher, regardless of condition, complaint or preference. Additionally, they also never transported a second patient if needed. Every MVC and fall received a collar. I am no longer there but have been told they still have similar practices.
I am okay with stable patient walking and sitting, vs use of the stretcher. If they do not need or want it, then no need for the extra week. With that being said, I am more likely to use a stretcher than some of my coworkers. In todays time of power stretchers and power loads, its not as much of an effort to use the stretcher.
I am okay with stable patient walking and sitting, vs use of the stretcher. If they do not need or want it, then no need for the extra week. With that being said, I am more likely to use a stretcher than some of my coworkers. In todays time of power stretchers and power loads, its not as much of an effort to use the stretcher.