Stryker Power Cot Loading System

[heerspinkb]

Hi,

We have a visit scheduled with Stryker to demo their new power loading system (sorry not sure of it's proper name).

I am trying to do some homework before they arrive and was wondering if any service is using this system, and what the opinion is.

We have been using the Stryker Power Cot now for almost 2 yrs. and love them, and think this system would be a welcomed addition.

Cheers,

Brett H.

[funkytomtom]

My service has one. Sadly just one though. I have only good things to say about it. It's reliable, easy to use, and just overall does its job. We have a plethora of random other cots (manual, hydraulic), but the stryker is my favorite.

[WolfmanHarris]

We had a trial here a few months back and reviews were pretty good. Apparently the service will be buying both them and power cots in the next few years as part of the transition to "no loft". Unfortunately Stryker doesn't seem to have any info up on their site, so I'm yet to see the darned thing myself. If you can, (I know it's a new product) snap and post some photos please.

[heerspinkb]

We had a trial here a few months back and reviews were pretty good. Apparently the service will be buying both them and power cots in the next few years as part of the transition to "no loft". Unfortunately Stryker doesn't seem to have any info up on their site, so I'm yet to see the darned thing myself. If you can, (I know it's a new product) snap and post some photos please.

You tube has some video, I will take some picks when it arrives and post them.

[Quakefire]

Haha I saw this thing on youtube. It looks interesting. I wonder how it does when the rig is sitting off level? Either to the side or on a hill.

Edited May 13, 2010 by Quakefire

[WolfmanHarris]

Haha I saw this thing on youtube. It looks interesting. I wonder how it does when the rig is sitting off level? Either to the side or on a hill.

Thanks for the link. That thing is awesome! I'm looking forward to trying it out.

My only concern with my service pushing no-lift is that crews will get spoiled such that they lose any conditioning they had when they have to make some bad akward lifts. We don't have a culture of fitness in EMS and the more widespread these assistive devices come the less likely I see a cultural shift being. So will we cut down on minor workplace injury claims at the cost of increasing the severity of the injury when it does happen? I'm not saying I'm resistant to power cots, tracked stair chairs and the like; I'm strongly in favour of it. I think it just reinforces the need for EMS to push a culture of health. So add that to the list of crap we need to fix in this industry.

[CBEMT]

My concern would be interoperability- these trucks couldn't use somebody else's stretcher if that became necessary for whatever reason.

My service used to have older model Ferno stretchers, with a track system instead of "horns." It was actually a really solid locking system, but the chief replaced it with Strykers (not that I complained about that) with horns for that reason- interoperability.

[Just Plain Ruff]

Make sure Stryker provides you with their rechargeable batteries.

It is tempting for management to purchase the dewalt batteries but those have a memory and after a certain length of use they stop charging alltogether.

Stryker has put together their new battery system to have no memory so they don't lose their ability to charge over time.

The Stryker batt's are more expensive but over time replacing the dewalts will be more expensive than your initial outlay of dewalt batts.

[Fox800]

My concern would be interoperability- these trucks couldn't use somebody else's stretcher if that became necessary for whatever reason.

My service used to have older model Ferno stretchers, with a track system instead of "horns." It was actually a really solid locking system, but the chief replaced it with Strykers (not that I complained about that) with horns for that reason- interoperability.

Only true if your previous stretchers weren't Strykers. They will work just fine with the old Strykers if need be.

I've used the Stryker powered stretchers in my current job and my previous job, and they're just awesome. Especially with that hefty 300+ pounder. Make sure you stock at least one spare battery (goes without saying). Some of the batteries are a little wonky and will go from green (charged) to red (recharge needed) after only one call, so that's something to keep an eye out for. The cost of the stretchers is still less than the cost for workman's compensation for a serious back injury from lifting. At least that's the way my last two employers saw it when they decided to buy them.

[TylerHastings]

We use the power pro stretchers and they are darn useful but my concern with this system was noted earlier by some one else (forgot to quote it) are we just encouraging poor conditioning in the field by adding all of these lift assists devices what is going to happen if some one is poorly conditioned and has to make a bad lift across a bed or something to that effect.