Question about transporting patients + equipment

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi,

First let me say "Kudos" to you nurses. My wife is a NICU nurse. Beyond the fact that I love her deeply, I also admire the work she does. I admire the work all nurses do. It is my belief nurses are underappreciated compared to the remarkable contribution you make in healthcare. Really! I'm not just saying that. In fact, reading through many of the posts in this group supports that belief.

To than end, I am considering an idea that came my way for a tool that might make nurses' lives just a little bit easier. You could use a does of "easier" every now and then, right? My wife suggested I get feedback from nurses...this seems as good a place as any. Note: This is not a solicitation or advertisement. Just a means to collect geniune feedback.

The tool is a simple device which attaches to to "critical care" beds (ICU, CCU, PACU, etc.), wheelchairs, and stretcher. There is an arm which swings out an locks into various positions and grips the floorstanding IV pole making it effortless to transport the patient and have the IV pole just roll along. The bed attachment can actually support two poles. I realize there are bed mounted IV poles but I've spent enough time in hospitals to see that those are not always used (why not?) so I see some merit in this idea.

I also think this device might address patient handling risks, especially in cases where bariatric patients are concerned. I've seen female nurses trying to push heavy patients in a wheelchair and fumbling with the IV pole, pumps and all. It seemed quite difficult. This device essentially gives nurses (and where applicable transport agents) a third hand, enabling the bed or wheelchair to lend a helping hand.

So the big question I am trying to answer is what value would the typical nurse place on such a tool? Though I haven't thought too far ahead, other questions that come to mind include how do nurses buy or influence the purchase of such products in you hospitals? Is there a protocol or can you usually get something if you really like it and could use it?

If any of you feel so inclined, please address this idea. I'd love to hear from nurses about the value of this product concept.

Keep up the good work. Thank God for Nurses!

Best Regards,

-Stephen

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Yes!!!!!!

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Specializes in Critical Care/ICU.

BIG value.

My facility uses the IV poles that can be attached to the head of the bed and then lifted off the ground by raising the bed for transport. No fumbling with anything but the bed itself. It's great.

Something you might want to remember is that it is probably much better to be able to carry the pump(s) at the head of the bed. Sometimes when we transport patients our space on either side is somewhat limited. Adding to the length during transport is easier to maneuver than adding width.

In some places nurses have a lot of pull when it comes to what equipment they use. It really depends on the facility.

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I think this is a great idea. I have seen a few times but never actually done my self where the IV has actually been pulled from the patient while trying to manuever large patients and keep the wheel chair going staight and some one will forget to pull the pole also or the pole will get caught going around a corner. I am sure this upsets the patient greatly having to get another IV and the patient is actively bleeding from the IV site while in the hallway.

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Something else I've seen: inpatients being taken to rad or elsewhere via wheelchair and they're pushing their own IV poles in front of them.

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That is an excellent idea. We are constantly transporting patients from ICU to the CT scanner, to OR, to MRI, from OR to ICU, from PACU to ICU, Cath lab to ICU, etc., etc.. Every time we transport we always need an extra person to handle the IV pole if available. If no one can come along, we have to wrangle the bed and IV pole down the halls and in the elevators.

If the device can help to attach the IV pole to a bed and fit in a bed transport elevator, it should sell.

Good luck with your idea...I sure could use it tomorrow!!!

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

OH boy...ummmm we have those in our hospital already...sorry.

It is under the head area near the base of the bed and we have them on gurneys too. It comes out and can swivel and telescope to a length to even go to the front foot of the gurney/bed and can be hooked to a latch so it doesn't move if you wish.

AND IT IS WONDERFUL! LOL, someone showed it to me and I was thrilled, and I found out that we had had this for about 6 months and no one knew about it...I felt tickled pink when I got to show that feature out! There is also an option for two if you need it! It has made transport sooooooooo much easier!!!!!

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Thank you all for your input and feedback. Your insights are quite helpful. Any others who have opinions about this device to transport freestanding IV poles with wheelchairs and beds, please post.

Other questions I have which I can't quite answer, maybe you can help:

1. Why not just use the IV pole on the bed instead of transporting the floorstanding pole?

2. How often do IV poles really fall over? (my guess is more often than is admitted, am I right?)

3. What departments in hospitals transport IV patients most frequently?

4. Does it take extra people from the unit to transport the equip (i.e. would the bed automatically transporting the pole provide time savings?)

I guess that's all I can think of right now. You know this stuff better than anyone since your around it daily. Please help....and thanks!

-S

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