What you should look for when buying a hospital stretcher in Kenya?

Every medical facility in Kenya understands the vital importance that medical stretchers have in the healthcare profession.  No matter what your patient transportation needs may be, there is a medical stretcher in our inventory that will suit the needs of your facility and the needs of your patients.

Medical stretchers have been used as transport devices since antiquity.  They served the same purpose then as they do now: to expedite the safe and secure movement of casualties and injured people from one place to another.  Before the modern stretcher was innovated, stretchers were nothing more than a basic litter and in some cases, they’re still referred to by that name.  Though there is no historical record as to when the stretcher came into use, it is evidenced that stretchers were used in battlefields and emergency situations, such as fires and natural disasters, where rough terrain inhibited the transport of casualties by wheeled vehicles.  They have always been used to protect the wounded from further injury during transportation and to ease the load-bearing burden on the people carrying the wounded to a relief area.  Without the use of a stretcher or litter, people had no other option than to carry the wounded themselves or load them onto a beast of burden.

The modern medical stretcher has wheels, making the transport of patients much easier, regardless of the environment.  The stretchers in use today are basically a type of hospital gurney, or a narrow bed, on a wheeled metal frame that is usually adjustable in height.  Most models are typically collapsible as well.  They may also have straps or tie-downs that are used to secure the patient to the stretcher in an attempt to prevent the patient from moving and aggravating any injuries.  The key value of the stretcher is to prevent further injury and facilitate safe movement of the patient onto a fixed hospital bed or examination table in the surgical ward, emergency room, labor and delivery, or wherever the patient needs to go.  In fact, without the use of a dependable medical stretcher, the potential for injury to both patient and caregiver is dynamically increased during patient transport.  Every stretcher in our inventory is built to the strictest standards in the industry, incorporating steel construction, superior welding, and designs that combine sturdiness, ease of motion, as well as comfort for the patient.

What should I look for when buying a hospital stretcher in Kenya?

For over 15 years, labsoko has been a source for leading brands of hospital stretchers in Kenya. Our team of customer service experts is often asked, “What should I be looking for when shopping for a hospital stretcher?”:

1. Type of stretcher: Are you looking for a transport or procedural stretcher? You will want to make sure you choose the correct type for such a large capital equipment purchase.
2. Features: Keep in mind the type of facility and patient the stretcher will be used for in order to select an adequate stretcher. This includes features and capacity of the stretcher for the patient as well as the caregiver.
3. Accessories: If you require certain accessories such as IV poles or O₂ bottle holders, look for these accessories options to provide a better patient care experience.

What types of hospital stretchers are there?

Like medical specialties, the types of stretchers will vary depending on the intended use. Stretchers can range from transport, surgery, emergency, stretcher chairs, and many more. Each medical specialty and procedure has its dedicated type of stretcher to provide the best patient care.

Hospital stretchers, also known as gurneys, fall under three basic categories:

• Transport: Stretchers designed specifically for the transport of patients between departments.
• Procedural: These stretchers will be specially designed to be capable of handling a medical procedure.
• Specialty: A specialty stretcher can be for transport, procedures, or both. These stretchers are designed for specialty medical departments such as OB/GYN, radiology, pediatrics, etc.

Now that you know How to Choose a Hospital Stretcher, we’ll go over transport, procedural, and specialty stretchers to narrow your search. In this blog, we’ll focus on hospital stretchers and disregard ambulance cots and gurneys that are used in emergency (EMS) settings.