Tessa Quinn
A gurney is a wheeled stretcher used to transport patients who cannot easily walk and need to lie flat. It is used in hospitals, nursing homes, ambulances, airports, and other medical facilities to improve patient mobility, accessibility, and safety. The use of gurneys in a hospital context was established by the 1930s, and they are now commonly wheeled by EMTs, paramedics, and other medical personnel to transport patients within and between medical facilities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Gurney, trolley, bed or cart |
| Use | Transporting patients with mobility issues, who may require lying flat during transportation or who need medical attention while in transit |
| Features | Wheels, variable height frames, tracks, skids, hydraulic or pneumatic systems for height adjustments, integrated storage compartments for medical supplies, attachment points for IV poles |
| Use Cases | Hospitals, emergency rooms, ambulances, nursing homes, airports, centers focused on helping people recover |
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What You'll Learn
History of the gurney
A gurney, also known as a wheeled stretcher, trolley, bed, or cart, is an apparatus used for moving patients who require medical care. It is often equipped with variable-height frames, wheels, tracks, or skids, making it easy to push around and manoeuvre.
The term 'gurney' is believed to have derived from Pacific Coast slang, and its use in a hospital context was established by the 1930s. An early stretcher, likely made of wicker over a frame, appears in a manuscript from around 1380. Simple stretchers were used by militaries through the middle of the 20th century.
In the context of hospitals and medical care, gurneys are used to transport patients within a facility or to other medical facilities. They are particularly useful for patients with mobility issues who may need to lie flat during transportation or require medical attention while in transit. For example, a patient who cannot sit upright in a wheelchair would benefit from a gurney for transportation.
Gurney transportation also plays a crucial role in ensuring patient safety and comfort. They are designed with safety features, such as straps to secure the patient and locks to prevent movement during transport. Modern gurneys may also have battery-powered hydraulics to raise and lower the height automatically, reducing the risk of back injuries for medical personnel.
In addition to hospitals, long-term care facilities, airports, and rehabilitation centres also utilise gurney transportation to assist individuals with medical needs.
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How gurneys improve accessibility
A gurney, also known as a wheeled stretcher, trolley, bed or cart, is used to transport patients who require medical care. It is often equipped with variable-height frames, wheels, tracks or skids.
Gurneys are designed to ensure the safety and comfort of patients during transportation. They are particularly useful for individuals with mobility issues, who may need to lie flat during transportation or require medical attention while in transit. For example, patients who cannot sit upright in wheelchairs can benefit from gurney transportation.
Gurneys are also used to transport patients with medical needs over long distances, such as from an airport terminal to a hospital. They are adjustable, allowing for different medical needs and positions, such as raising the head or legs to relieve pressure. This adjustability also helps to secure patients during transit, preventing falls and injuries.
In addition, gurneys reduce the workload on EMS personnel by making it easier to raise and lower patients. This is especially beneficial as EMS personnel are at high risk of back injury from repetitive raising and lowering of patients.
Overall, gurneys improve accessibility by providing a safe, comfortable and flexible means of transporting patients with a range of medical needs. They ensure timely access to medical care and improve patient safety during transportation.
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Types of gurneys
A stretcher, gurney, litter, or pram is an apparatus used for moving patients who require medical care. A basic type (cot or litter) must be carried by two or more people and does not have wheels. A stretcher with wheels is known as a gurney, trolley, bed or cart.
Simple Stretcher
Simple stretchers are lightweight and portable, made of canvas or other synthetic material suspended between two poles or a tubular aluminium frame.
Folding Stretcher
Also known as a top deck or collapsible stretcher, this type is similar in design to the simple stretcher but features one or more hinged points of articulation to allow the stretcher to be collapsed into a more compact form for easier handling or storage.
Roberson Orthopedic Stretcher
Also known as a scoop stretcher, this type of stretcher is used for lifting patients, for instance from the ground onto an ambulance stretcher or onto a spinal board.
Flexible Stretcher
Also known by the brand names Reeves sleeve or SKED, this type of stretcher is often supported longitudinally by wooden or plastic planks. It is essentially a tarpaulin with handles, and is primarily used to move a patient through confined spaces, or to lift obese patients.
Collapsible Wheeled Stretcher
This is a type of stretcher on a variable-height wheeled frame. It is often collapsible and has a quick-release mechanism that enables rapid deployment and efficient patient transport.
Bariatric Stretcher
This type of stretcher features a wider frame and higher weight capacity for heavier patients.
Litter or Basket Stretcher
This type of stretcher is designed to be used where there are obstacles to movement or other hazards, such as in confined spaces, on slopes, or in wooded terrain. It is typically shaped to accommodate an adult in a face-up position and is used in search and rescue operations.
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How gurneys are transported
A gurney, also known as a wheeled stretcher, trolley, bed or cart, is used to move patients who require medical care. They are used in hospitals, emergency rooms, ambulances, and long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes.
In hospitals, gurneys are used to transport patients between different departments for diagnostic tests and treatments. For example, a patient might be moved from the emergency room to the X-ray department, or from surgery to recovery. They are also used to provide a stable surface for performing emergency medical procedures.
Ambulance teams use gurneys to transport patients from accidents or emergencies to the hospital. These gurneys are designed to be lightweight, portable, and easily manoeuvred in and out of emergency vehicles. They often feature collapsible frames, quick-release mechanisms, and locks to secure the patient during transport.
Long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, use gurneys to transport patients for medical appointments or in cases of urgent assistance. Airports may also offer gurney transportation to help travellers with medical needs get to the hospital.
Specialised vehicles, such as the Mobile Response Van, are equipped with features to ensure patient comfort and safety during transport. These vehicles may have gentle suspension to minimise bumps and vibrations, and drivers may follow specific routes to avoid sudden stops or sharp turns.
Gurneys themselves have features that aid in transportation, such as swivel casters and locking mechanisms that allow for smooth, controlled movement. They are constructed with sturdy frames and comfortable, cushioned surfaces to support individuals of varying sizes. They often have adjustable backrests, side rails to prevent patients from falling, and attachment points for IV poles and other medical equipment.
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Who uses gurneys
A gurney is a device used to move patients who cannot easily walk or need to lie flat during transportation. They are used by healthcare professionals to transport patients safely and comfortably during times of injury, illness, or medical emergency.
Gurneys are used in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, emergency rooms, ambulances, and long-term care facilities. They are also used by organizations offering medical care at home, such as nursing homes, to transport patients to hospitals or other medical facilities. Airports may also offer gurney transportation to help travellers with medical needs get to their destination.
In emergency medical services (EMS), gurneys are critical as they are designed to be lightweight, portable, and easily manoeuvred in and out of emergency vehicles. Ambulance gurneys often have collapsible frames and quick-release mechanisms to enable rapid deployment and efficient patient transport during time-sensitive situations. Modern gurneys may also have battery-powered hydraulics to raise and lower the height automatically, reducing the risk of back injuries for EMS personnel.
Gurneys are also used by the military and search and rescue personnel, especially in confined spaces or on slopes and uneven terrain. They provide a stable surface for performing emergency medical procedures and transporting patients between departments for diagnostic tests and treatments.
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Frequently asked questions
A gurney is a wheeled stretcher used to transport patients who require medical care.
A gurney is typically wheeled by a healthcare professional such as an EMT or paramedic.
A gurney is used when a patient cannot easily walk or needs to lie flat during transportation. They are also used to transport patients between departments for diagnostic tests and treatments.
Gurneys provide a stable platform for patients, allowing for efficient movement within medical facilities or during transport. They are also adjustable to fit different medical needs and positions.
