REMODELLING OFHOSPITAL EQUIPMENT- INCORPORATING EXPERIENCE TO ADDRESS PATIENT COMFORT AND SAFETY.

Background and objectives:- Stretchers may not be the protagonist in a tertiary care hospital but occupies an important place in emergency department as many patients are kept on stretchers to accommodate more patients in the existing space. The purposes of this study was to identify problems related to traditional stretchers and modify its design to make it safe for patients, cost-efficient, user friendly for health care workers & easy to maintain to reduce health care associated infections. Methods:- Information about the existing problems faced with use of stretchers were discussed with the patients, health care workers handling stretchers and nurses of a tertiary care hospital. These were discussed with the Engineering students & vendor. The prototype was made and initially 60 number stretchers were introduced in the hospital. Results:- The problems identified in the traditional design were patients hands use to fell on the side which may have led to injury, difficulty in taking vital parameters especially blood pressure & frequent breaking of the instruments, stretchers were made up of iron, coated with white paint that often become rusted, top was made up of metal that causes discomfort to patient, wheels of the stretchers used to bend & break frequently that may have compromised patient safety and also hamper manoeuvring during transportation and aesthetically poor. The area of the stretchers was slightly increased, the frame was prepared with Stainless Steel 305 with increased thickness, swing type side rails with locks were provided and castor wheels were fitted instead of bicycle wheels. A mesh was also attached to the base of the stretchers to accommodate cylinders and patients luggage. Interpretation & Conclusion:- The new design is safer & comfortable for patients, cost efficient to the hospital management and easier to handle to HCWs. However the retrieval of the stretchers and frequent breaking of the castor wheels are still issues that need attention.