Handling Stretchers for Patients

You may have regularly seen them used, but today it is time to cover how they are put into practice. This article takes a look at handling stretchers for patients, and everything you need to know!

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What are the types of stretchers for patients?

Short answer: the main types of stretchers include wheeled, basket, spine board, stair chair, ambulance/medical, portable and scoop stretchers.

• Stretchers are used in a variety of medical and first aid scenarios to transport casualties or patients gently and safely.
• Their purpose is to transport those that may not be moved easily due to immobility/injury.
• The most common uses include transportation during injury or after an incident, or to/from hospital to receive medical care.

Uses of Stretchers

Certain first aid or medical situations require careful and easy movement of patients/casualties to or from a desired location (such as to the ER).

In times that it is necessary to transport a patient from a location to a medical/adequate setting where they can be treated, a stretcher serves this purpose well.

It is not an easy task to remove a delicate or injured person, both for the victim and the helper.

A stretcher is equipped with features that make this a much safer and easier task.

Let’s cover some of their primary uses:

What are some uses of stretchers?

• Moving a patient in and out of hospital, such as in an emergency/medical setting

Patients may not be able to be easily transported, so a stretcher allows movement of an injured individual.

• Moving a casualty out of an unsafe location to a safer one

Depending on where the incident has occurred, it may firstly be necessary to re- locate the person to a place that doesn’t present any further danger.

A stretcher allows them to be shifted to then receive or wait for medical help.

(An example of this would be an accident/dangerous setting.)

• Moving a person from one place to another who is incapacitated or unable to move themselves (shifting/relocation)

Even in a non-emergency setting, some patients are unable to be moved without a stretcher: e.g broken limbs, so on and so forth.

They may assist with loading/transport, such as to a medical transport vehicle for instance.

• Allows patients to be transported in a steady, safe manner that does not create further trauma

The important function of a stretcher is that it allows prevention of further injury - and is optimal over say, carrying an injured person manually.

So generally, in whatever setting they are harnessed a stretcher will provide a safer movement method.

What Kind of Patients are Stretchers Used For?

As we touched on above, stretchers are specifically designed to support movement of patients who are either injured/incapacitated or require careful movement for any reason.

This can be due to numerous factors, such as:

• Being unable to move or needing to be relocated
• Being too difficult/unsafe to carry 
• Needing to be moved in a careful manner (e.g badly injured)
• Needing transport to medical care promptly.

Some examples of patients that may require a stretcher include:

• Patients who have sustained a spinal cord injury (e.g had a fall, trauma or injury that requires careful movement or causes movement inability)
• Patients unable to sit upright
• Injured patients (bleeding, unconsciousness, wounded etc) 
• Patients that require a stretcher while being transported to hospital or another medical facility

In general, a stretcher will typically be used for a patient who has experienced either an injury or a medical episode.

However, sometimes they are also used in other contexts for situations that aren’t emergencies.

For example:

• Personal use for patients that require movement at home from one room to another
• Disabled/special needs individuals.

How to Carry a Patient on a Stretcher

Let’s take a look at some of the main different types of stretchers. 

Note also that within each form of stretcher, there can be many different features, types or models of the specific stretcher.

Types of stretchers:

• Wheeled stretchers

Wheeled stretchers help provide fast, easy movement due to their wheels - often to an ambulance or hospital. 

They are good for loading patients into the vehicle. 

These stretchers also serve to carry other forms of stretchers (like portable/spine boards).

• Basket stretcher

Basket stretchers are made of sturdy materials, with loops/handles built in. 

They can be used in many applications, including difficult situations that require a tough stretcher.

• Spine board

A spine/backboard is designed to help the patient maintain a strict, aligned and rigid position while they are being moved.

They may be used for spinal and limb injuries in which this is important. This includes helping transport patients onto an ambulance stretcher.

Spine boards are slim and flat.

• Portable stretchers (also may be known as foldable/folding stretcher)

A portable stretcher is lighter and foldable/collapsible.

It is a flat stretcher with handles to help carry the patient. 

These can also be handy for narrow areas.

• Stair chair stretchers

The stair chair allows movement in a seated position and can be good for narrow places (like stairways) where a traditional stretcher is difficult to manoeuvre.

• Scoop stretcher

A scoop stretcher is made of a firm material and is able to be split in two to scoop the patient up (hence the name). 

This is done from each side of their body - forming a scoop. 

They are suitable for easy movement without lifting.

• Ambulance and medical stretchers

Ambulance stretchers may also be wheeled, but are suitable specifically for use in their designated setting.

They are designed for use in an ambulance or transportation to hospital while the patient lies down.

Instructions for handling a stretcher:

Note: before you begin, you will want to establish a few vital things.

• This includes making sure airways are clear, vital injuries are stabilised the best possible (e.g bleeding) and checking for spinal cord injuries.
• You will usually require multiple people (2 minimum) on hand. Use an even number - 2 or 4 people to balance each side.
• There are numerous ways to move patients. Patients with a spinal cord injury will require very careful transportation. *Lifting may be performed differently per stretcher/situation. Instructions vary.
• Only trained personnel should operate ambulance stretchers.

General steps:

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• Position the stretcher next to the patient on either side.
• With the patient lying on their back, have their arms at their side. 
• The first person should slip their arms beneath the back/waist of the patient, while the second repeats this beneath their knees/hips.

Note: you should not bend the neck/head of a person with a spinal cord injury. They may have a cervical collar fitted to keep the neck aligned - or ensure it remains so. “Log roll” them instead - which involves turning them in one motion without flexing the spine.

• Consecutively, lift the patient at once onto the stretcher.

What is the Difference Between a Stretcher and a Gurney?

Both of these terms refer to commonly used pieces of equipment. 

However, there are some basic differences between a stretcher and a gurney - which we cover below.

Stretcher vs a gurney - in basic terms

Simply put: the legs of a gurney are fitted with wheels. It can essentially be considered a moveable/wheelable stretcher, per say.

• A gurney is a piece of medical apparatus that specifically is usually used for transporting patients that require medical care.

Often, this will be to a hospital or facility.

The gurney is able to stand alone, supported by its frame and wheels.

This is in contrast to a stretcher, which needs to be lifted.

A gurney will also typically contain straps that serve to fit/secure the patient into position as they are moved.

Stretchers do not need to contain this, although they may.

• It may be used for carrying individuals either unwell, wounded or deceased - such as from the scene of an incident.
• Gurneys can also be used within a hospital due to their wheelable nature, such as for transporting patients from room to room before/post an operation.

A gurney may be easier to move, as stretchers do not have wheels.

• Importantly, they also may be usable by one person/a sole helper - rather than a stretcher which requires 2 minimum (or more) helpers holding each end.

Related Questions:

What is the best type of stretcher for a confined space/area?

Portable, stair chair and spine board stretchers best suit this purpose - due to their slim, flexible and/or light nature.

How many people does it require to handle a stretcher?

A gurney is the only option that can be operable by one person, though this may be unideal.

Generally, it is best to have 2 people at minimum - all the way up to 4.

Conclusion

Stair Calculator

The stair calculator calculates stair rise and run, stair angle, stringer length, step height, tread depth, and the number of steps required for a given run of stairs. For convenience and flexibility, this stair stringer calculator comes in two forms: automatic and manual . Click on the [?] icons to determine the best calculator for your stairs.

Are you looking for the Metric (millimeters) version of the Stair Calculator?

Automatic Stair Calculator

Input: Total Rise [A] (ex: 56.75) (in) Target Step Height [F] (in) Tread Thickness [C] (in) Tread Depth [B] (in) Stair Results: (fraction) (decimal) Number of Steps (risers) Steps on Stringer [D] Height of First Step [E] (in) Height of Typical Step [F] (in) Stringer Placement [H] (in) Total Run [G] (in) Stringer Length (in) Stair/Rail Angle (degrees) Stringer Mount Type: [?] Standard     Flush Click here for the Manual Stair Calculator.

Are you looking for the Metric (millimeters) version of the Stair Calculator?

Manual Stair Calculator

Input: Total Rise [A] (ex. 56.75) (in) Total Run [G] (ex. 90.5) (in) Number of Steps (Risers) Tread Thickness [C] (in) Stair Results: (fraction) (decimal) Step Height [F] (in) Tread Depth [B] (in) Steps on Stringer [D] Height of First Step [E] (in) Stringer Placement [H] (in) Stringer Length (in) Stair/Rail Angle (degrees) Stringer Mount Type: [?] Standard    Flush

Some results may not meet code requirements

Try adjusting the Total Rise, the Total Run, or the Number of Steps, and re-click

Calculate Stairs

Stairs with Risers

In most cases, a flight of stairs will require solid risers unless the Total Rise is less than 30 inches (762 mm) OR the typical Step Height is less than 5 1/2 inches (140 mm) (see the Risers section below for related building code requirements).

Adding solid risers to your stairs will not change the results of the Stair Calculator, so long as you properly attach the risers before you add the treads, as shown in the Stairs with Solid Risers and 2x12 Treads diagram below.

Before cutting your stringers, double-check all of your measurements, and carefully plan how you will attach (or not attach) a solid riser at the upper connection point of your stringer. Depending on your design, you may need to adjust the depth of your stringer's top step.

For example, if you are not planning to add a riser to the last rise up to your deck or landing, you may need to subtract the thickness of one riser from the calculated Tread Depth [B] on the top step of the stringers. Using the diagram below, picture the top step without the last riser installed. Without the riser, the last tread would either have a gap on the back side or the nose of the tread would not have the same overhang as the other treads. Consider all of the possibilities before cutting your first stringer.

Stair Calculator Results and Related Building Codes**

The information below explains the stair calculator results in more detail and provides related **building code information. If you have any questions, Contact Us.

Stringer - The stringer is the structural part of a set of stairs. They are 2x12s (or larger) material - the uncut portion of the stringer should not be less than 5 inches (127 mm) (see diagrams below). In a set of stairs 36 inches wide, there are typically three stringers (one on each end and one in the middle). The Stringer Length is the tip-to-tip length of the cut stringer. The Stringer Length value is the minimum length of 2x12 material required to lay out the stair stringer.

Total Rise [A] - The Total Rise of a flight of stairs is the vertical rise between the bottom of the first step and the top of the finished landing. The Total Rise [A] should not exceed 151 inches ( mm) between landings or floor levels.

Total Run [G] - The Total Run is the horizontal length of a stair stringer. It is the Number of Steps [D] (on the stringer) multiplied by the Tread Depth [B].

Risers - The Step Height [F] is the typical height of each step. The Building Code states it should not exceed 7 3/4 inches (194 mm). In a given run of stairs, the Step Heights should not vary more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm). Open risers with openings more than 30 inches (762 mm) vertical to the floor should not permit the passage of a 4-inch-diameter (102 mm) sphere.

Height of First Step [E] - The actual finished height of the first step is the same as the Step Height [F], but when you cut the stair stringer, the First Step Height [E] is always the Step Height [F] minus the Tread Thickness [C].

Treads - The Tread Depth [B] should not be less than 10 inches (254 mm). In a given run of stairs, the Tread Depth [B] should not vary by more than 3/8 inch (9.5 mm). Typically, stair treads are either a single 2x12 or two 2x6s.

Number of Steps (Risers) - The number of risers is not necessarily the same as the Steps on Stringer [D]. If the Stinger Mount Type is Flush, then the number of risers is the same as the number of steps. If the Stringer Mount Type is Standard, the number of risers will be one more than the number of Steps on Stringer [D].

Stringer Placement [H] - Stringer Placement refers to how far below the Finished Height of the upper landing the stringer should be attached.

Headroom - The headroom should not be less than 6' 8" ( mm), measured vertically from the stair tread nosing to the nearest ceiling object.

Stair/Rail Angle - The Stair/Rail Angle is the bevel cut on a stair rail post. It can also be the angle on the top of the stair rail balusters attached to the rail.

Stringer Length - The Stringer Length calculation is the minimum length of 2x12 material required to lay out and cut the stringer.

Stairs and Landings - Landings break up long runs of stairs (where the Total Rise [A] is more than 151 inches). The building code further states that the minimum width of a landing should not be less than the width of the flight of stairs served. **"Where the stairway has a straight run, the depth in the direction of travel shall be not less than 36 inches (914 mm)." For additional information, check out Stairs with Landings.

** Note: For building code information related to stair construction, visit International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings - Section 318 - MEANS OF EGRESS.

Mobile Stair Calculator vs. Mobile Friendly Stair Calculator

The old Mobile Stair Calculator is available now on mycarpentry.com but will be deprecated soon. I urge you to try the Stair Calculator on this webpage on your mobile or tablet device. You will find its responsive design works as well on mobile devices as on a desktop computer.

We welcome your feedback.

~ Thank you!

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