Choosing the Right Medical Stretcher: Types and Uses

30 Jun.,2025

 

Choosing the Right Medical Stretcher: Types and Uses

When every second counts, the right medical stretcher can make a big difference. During an emergency every decision impacts the result. The right stretcher ensures that the patients receive quick medical care.

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But with so many types available in the market, how do you choose the right one?

Let's explore the various types and their uses to make the right decision.

Types of Medical Stretchers

1. Manual Stretchers - These are the normal type stretchers and are lightweight, easy to use. They are budget friendly too. But requires physical effort and is ideal for short distances and normal medical situations.

2. Electric Stretchers - They are much more advanced . They reduce the physical strain on medical personnel.You can adjust the height and angle by just pressing a button.They are used in emergency rooms, ICU’s where rapid actions need to be taken with utmost precision.

3. Bariatric Stretchers - These are designed for plus size patients. They provide a wider and strong platform to accommodate more weight. They have been designed with reinforced frames , large wheels to ensure stability as well as ease of movement. They are useful for patients having an obesity problem.

4. Scoop Stretchers - They are designed specifically for patients having spinal injuries.They can be divided into two halves , which are placed on either side of the patient and then joined together to lift the patient without doing a further damage.They are used mainly in trauma care where spinal precautions are important.

5. Ambulance Stretchers - They are used in ambulances and in emergencies.They can be loaded and unloaded quite easily and come with safety straps and side rails. They are vital for transporting patients from an accident scene and transfer to a nearest medical facility centre. Ensuring safety and patient comfort is among its functionality.

6. Portable Stretchers - They are also known as collapsible stretchers and can be folded. They are lightweight and are ideal for emergencies where rapid actions need to be taken.They are used for easy transportation.They can be used during disasters or natural calamities where accessibility is an issue.

Some Quick Tips For Safe Stretcher Use

Use patient restraints if available.
Respect weight limits for the stretcher type.
Ensure legs and brakes are properly engaged.
Move carefully over rough terrain.
Follow manufacturer guidelines.
Push feet-first, not head-first.
Uses of Medical Stretchers

Each stretcher has its own usability. So it might be difficult to choose the right one. Let’s explore how these stretchers are used in different cases.

Emergency Situations Emergencies are unforeseen situations where every minute counts.Electric stretchers allow several adjustments, thus saving time. Ambulance stretchers have easy loading and unloading features which helps in transporting patients from the accident spot to the ambulance and ultimately to the medical care.

Routine Patient Transfers For daily transfers within a hospital, manual stretchers are really useful. They are easy to move and do not require an external power source.To move inside medical wards and diagnostic rooms, manual stretchers provide a budget friendly and efficient solution.

Trauma and Spinal Injuries Traumatic incidents demand special attention to avoid any injuries or damage. Scoop Stretchers can be used in this situation. It is designed in such a manner that it minimizes mobility , reducing the risk of spinal injuries.. These stretchers are really useful in trauma centers.

Obese Patient Care Bariatric stretchers are important for patients suffering from obesity.These ensure that heavier patients are transported safely and comfortably. These stretchers must be available in clinics and hospitals to frequently handle obese patients. It provides a dignified way of safely transporting the obese patients too.

Remote and Field Operations Portability is fundamental in case of remote or field operations. Portable stretchers are needed in these scenarios. They are lightweight and have portable designs. It makes them easy to carry and position the patients correctly. First responders and military medical teams rely on these stretchers during disaster response and field rescues.

Intensive Care Electric stretchers are ideal for intensive care units, providing the precise adjustments and flexibility required for critical patient care. Their advanced features enable ultimate patient positioning and support, increasing both patient comfort and the ability to perform necessary medical procedures.

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First Call Removal Folding Stretcher (Model: MOBI-FRS350) - Durable aluminum alloy foldable cot with drop-down legs, compact storage, and 350 lb capacity.

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Types Of Stretchers And Their Uses | LFA First Response

Stretchers are an item of medical equipment used to transport patients or injured people to another location to receive medical treatment. Stretchers can be used to transport patients to an ambulance, and from the ambulance into the hospital or medical facility.

There are different kinds of stretchers designed for different scenarios, and sometimes more than one stretcher will be used throughout a rescue or transport of a patient.

Let’s take a look at different types of stretchers and their uses in an emergency.

The role of stretchers in an emergency

In the event of an emergency such as a rescue, accident or serious injury, stretchers are useful for transporting the injured person in a secure way which minimises the chance of exacerbating the injury.

Emergency medical services such as search and rescue and ambulance use particular stretchers suited to the situation – such as rescues in confined spaces, vertical lifting of an injured person, or traversing rough terrain.

During an emergency, time is vital. Stretchers are designed to be simple and quick to use so that the injured party can get help as soon as possible, improving the outcome for their survival and recovery. Oftentimes different kinds of stretchers will be used within one emergency scenario to improve efficiency of transporting the patient.

How stretchers minimise the chance of further injury

Even the most basic type of stretcher is designed to keep the injured person still and secure, minimising the chance of them coming into further injury as they’re transported to a medical facility. Stretchers are usually fitted with restraints to ensure patient safety, and to mitigate the risk of falling.

Using the correct stretcher is important where possible. This means the patient can be transported in a way that is mindful of their injury to avoid making it worse – for example, a spinal board for someone with a suspected spinal injury.

Modern stretchers used in emergencies are often fitted with features to reduce the manual lifting required of responders, which can help reduce the chance of a responder injuring themselves during a rescue or recovery of a patient.

Tips for safe stretcher use

In an emergency situation, it’s important that the patient can be moved safely and securely. Here are some tips to ensure safe use of a stretcher in an emergency situation:

  • Use patient restraints if the stretcher is fitted with them.
  • Be aware of the weight limit. Different types of stretchers have different weight capacity limits. For example, a foldable and flexible stretcher likely won’t be able to support as much weight as a stretcher trolley on wheels. For heavier patients, the use of a different stretcher may be necessary.
  • When operating stretchers with legs, such as hospital stretchers or those found in an ambulance, ensure the legs are properly engaged to prevent a sudden collapse.
  • Ensure the braking device is working and applied to wheeled stretchers.
  • Be aware of rough terrain. Spending a few extra seconds to go carefully is better than rushing and potentially tipping the stretcher.
  • Follow manufacturer’s guidelines for all modern stretchers.
  • Push the stretcher with the patient’s feet first, rather than head first.

Types of stretchers and their uses

Ambulance stretchers

Most types of ambulance stretchers have wheels to reduce the amount of lifting required in transporting a patient, and to ensure the patient can be moved at a faster speed than manually carrying the stretcher.

With big wheels, ambulance stretchers are designed to handle well on rough terrain, which is important when transporting an injured person. Wheeled stretchers have the added benefit of a heavier load capacity, and may be managed with only one person operating it.

Portable stretchers

Folding stretchers are easily portable and extremely versatile. Portable stretchers, being flexible and compact, are often used in rescue situations within tight spaces.

Foldable stretchers, like emergency pole stretchers, often have a carry bag for convenience when not in use, and are made to be lightweight. These sort of rescue stretchers often have a slightly lower weight capacity than a more structured stretcher, such as emergency stretchers used in an ambulance.

Basket stretchers

Emergency types of stretchers for difficult or rough terrain include basket stretchers. These are designed to be used in challenging rescue conditions, such as in mines and at altitudes, as they allow for vertical lifting. Basket aviation stretchers, such as a titan basket stretcher, are made from sturdy materials which can withstand wear and corrosion.

Spine board stretchers

Spine boards are commonly used to stabilise a patient that has a suspected spinal injury. Spine boards are designed to firmly keep the body of the injured person in place to reduce the chance of further injury.

Spine boards are often used to transfer an injured person to a medical stretcher, such as those on board an ambulance.

Plastic spine board stretchers are lightweight and strong, with handles around the sides to allow for lifting by several responders.

Stair chair stretchers

Stair chair stretchers are designed to glide over a staircase to allow safe transport of an injured person up or down stairs. Stair chairs have great manoeuvrability in tight spaces.

Stretchers for different emergencies