Electric stretchers???

[reaper]

Tell them to look at workmen comp claims for back injuries in EMS.

Oh wait, do you all have workmen comp in Canada?

[CBEMT]

If I could cuddle with my Stryker stairchair comfortably, I would.

Carrying the Stryker power stretcher SUCKS.

[GypsyMedic]

We demo'ed (i know, not an actual word) both the Stryker and Ferno power stretchers and settled on the Strykers, and I couldn't be happier! Indeed they are about fifty pounds heavier, but it's worth it. Our system here is both 911 and transfer and certainly have our share of obese people, so it's been a back saver through and through. In fact, we're the only ones in our area that has them, though other companies aren't far behind. Boston demo'ed them as well, but I heard they didn't like them. I can't fathom why.

As for the stairchair, I like the Stryker over the Ferno for a variety of reasons and it's great going down, but makes going up more difficult. It's awkward to carry (I'm not that big) and doesn't work well going down any staircase that makes a turn. Personally, I perfer the older chairs.

Again...LOVE LOVE LOVE the power stretchers!!

[toutdoors]

The ambulance service I work with part-time has put a powered stretcher into service. It is charged as it sits in the bracket. It is awesome for the "big ole boys/gals" We keep that rig at HQ, and have begun to flag the common addresses with the large pts. If we get called to one of these, our training officer, field supervisor, or business supervisor will start heading our way with the power cot rig. If it is a non life threatening event and we can wait the extra 5 or 10 minutes to transport, we do; if not, everybody gets ahold and we lift. We did demo two units on the streets running 911, and I will say the weight was a little to get used to. Thankfully we have 3-4 firefighters on scene as well to help lift if needed. All around I think they are nice, they have their place do doubt about that.

We also tried the powered stair chair, it had tracks on it. I did not personally use it, but it got rave reviews from the medics who did use it. Only problem we had was it was a little big for our side compartments, just barely fit in with the O2 bottle.

[firedoc5]

If only we had something like that about 12+ years ago... :tongue3:

[CaliMedic209]

we have had the hydraulic gurneys in service for a little over 2 years now and i wasnt thrilled about them at first because of the extra weight.. but once you get used to it you will fall in love.. i promise.. oh and richard.. lets take a trip back from negative-ville.. my goodness

[Richard B the EMT]

Me? Negative? If you are refering to the mention of transporting across sand, remember I live at a beach.

We've had a series of drownings and "sudden disappearances" on the beaches here in Rockaway, at Coney Island, on nearby Long Island, and Sandy Hook, NJ, due to "Rip" curents. At one of them, at the Jacob Riis Park unit of Gateway National Recreation Area, FDNY Tactical Rescue #2, equipped with 4 wheel drive, bogged down in the sand so badly, as in the chassis down on the sand, that the 4 Wheel Drive engine company connected with Engine 329 snapped it's winch cable trying to free it. Staying on the pavement, and using chains, the regular Engine #329 succeeded in freeing the "Tac-2" truck.

The only negativism I have is:

Damn! And Me without my camera!

[crotchitymedic1986]

Would love to hear more about Ferno versus Stryker, instead of power versus manual. Those of you who demo'd both, can you say why you chose one over the other ?

[WolfmanHarris]

Every medic in the service got a chance to trial both the Ferno and Stryker stairchairs and give input. The final decision was Ferno, with a custom order to make the handgrips and a few other parts like the Stryker.

I don't know if we'll be getting power cots just yet around here, but we've been told either 2010 or 2011 will see the trucks get tail lift systems like the UK. The official master plan for the service includes a transition to "lift free" as much as possible in the next few years, so I'd imagine power cots are under consideration. Already we have wide leeway to request lift assist and are encouraged to do so. Even less heavier pt's where the lift is akward or we feel we need it, we're not discouraged from placing a bystander to help if appropriate. Our SRU carries the bariatric equipment in their SUV and will respond to set up the ramp/winches, lift cushin, etc. for any of the truly heavy patients.

[croaker260]

So the question then is how does one convince an employer to put out the considerably more expense for one especially when they have a fleet of working stretchers already.

I don't know of a single service in the entire province of Ontario who uses them.

FInd the average cost of back injuries per employee, and the savings of a 50% reduction. Compare that to the cost of a power lift gurney AND a stairchair, preferably a tracked one.

Theres your base argument.

As a side note, identify some grants that may help as well.

Thats our approach and we are planning to do a 100% replacemnt w/in 18 months if the grants work out. About 30 cots. We already have the stairchairs though.