VERSATILITY Convertible stretchers serve not only as patient beds, but also as surgical tables and even reclining chairs.

Both staff and patients benefit when you use stretcher chairs in the perioperative process. Here are a few reasons why.

• Efficiency. In short outpatient procedures such as ophthalmic, ENT, plastic and oral surgeries, streamlining patient handling with convertible equipment that serves as a pre-op bed, transport stretcher, OR table and PACU recliner saves your staff time and energy.

• Employee safety. The average healthcare worker isn’t getting any younger. The fewer times that patients are lifted and transferred to stretchers, tables or wheelchairs, the lower the risk of on-the-job musculoskeletal injuries.

• Patient safety. An increasing number of surgical patients are overweight, obese, or elderly and requiring more physical assistance. A patient who remains on one surface throughout an outpatient stay reduces his risk of fall-related injuries. Our new surgery and procedure area, which was outfitted with stretcher chairs, has been open for 3 years, and in that time we haven’t seen a single patient fall, which is a big deal.

• Patient comfort. Comfortable patients are satisfied patients. Most stretcher chairs incorporate pressure-reduction materials. Their range of positioning options can ease transport for patients who feel nauseated when they’re rolled to the OR flat on their backs and, after surgery, motivate patients toward speedy discharges by sitting them up.

If you’re in the market for this versatile equipment, consider its size (Will it fit into the spaces where your patients need to be?) and weight limitations (will it support your patient population?). Is it easy to position and maneuver, and how long will its battery last before it needs plug-in recharging (and eventual replacement)? Finally, make sure your staff is fully trained in how to properly and safely use it, including raising and lowering by motorized, push-button functions as well as manual operation.

— Michael Hofmann, RN, BSN

Brumaba USA
Operating Table Systems
brumaba.com
(610) 873-1733
Pricing: $17,650 to $34,900, not including accessories or freight
FYI: Featuring smooth, powerful and nearly silent micro-hydraulics and up to 8 memory settings, these stretcher chairs comfortably position the patient through all phases of surgery. Depending on the model, they can safely accommodate patient weights of up to 550 to 660 lbs.

GF Health Products
SurgiChair (ESC-EYE-ST)
hausted.com
(770) 368-4700
Pricing: not disclosed
FYI: Powered controls quickly raise, lower or place the patient in Trendelenburg, and precisely articulate the headpiece. Dual density foam and 4-way-stretch upholstery ensure pressure and shear force reduction, while urethane-coated fabrics and stainless steel construction allow easy cleaning and disinfection. The 22-inch-wide surface supports 500 lbs.

MTI
440 Series Mobile Battery-Powered Stretcher Bed
mti.net
(800) 924-4655
Pricing: $13,000 to $15,000, depending on options, accessories, quantity purchased or contract pricing
FYI: A lightweight lithium-ion battery powers the untethered stretcher bed for convenient room-to-room use. Power lift, back, tilt and foot functions make it ideal for multiple surgical specialties. Its 24-inch-wide procedure table enables patient proximity and access. The 125mm, multi-directional casters allow easy steering and mobility with a 1-inch base-to-floor clearance.

Stryker
Stretcher Chair
stryker.com
(800) 869-0770
Pricing: not disclosed
FYI: Ideal for surgery centers and small spaces, Stryker’s stretcher chair offers multiple positioning options, from horizontal to upright to chair, for versatility, clinical performance and patient comfort. Available with an articulating headpiece for eye surgery. Hydraulic jacks and locking brake rings make the mobile unit safely stable.

TransMotion Medical
TMM Stretcher Chairs
transmotionmedical.com
(866) 860-8447
Pricing: $6,500 to $11,500
FYI: These mobile universal care platforms feature compact design, handheld, push-button positioning control and 500-lb. weight capacity. The TMM4 multi-purpose stretcher chair is radiolucent to enable fluoroscopic imaging. The TMM5 mobile surgical stretcher chair (pictured) includes an articulating headpiece.

UFSK-OSYS
eyeForce Mobile Operating Table
ufsk-osys.com
(888) 783-7891
Pricing: not disclosed
FYI: The eyeForce features programmable settings, electronic headrest articulation and an SES frame extension system for efficient, comfortable positioning. Its design offers exceptional legroom and stability, and foot pedal controls allow for sterile adjustments. The optional e-Drive assists in effortless transport. Distributed by Visionequip.