A gurney is a wheeled apparatus used for safely transporting patients who must remain in a supine or semi-reclined position. It functions as a temporary, portable bed designed to move individuals rapidly and securely between different areas of a healthcare setting or during pre-hospital care. This specialized transport minimizes physical strain on both the patient and the medical staff. The gurney bridges the gap between fixed locations, such as a patient’s home, an ambulance, and a hospital bed.
Defining the Gurney and its Core Function
The primary distinction of a gurney from a simple stretcher lies in its advanced mechanical structure and inherent mobility. A basic stretcher is a lightweight, manual carrying device requiring multiple operators for lifting and navigating tight spaces. In contrast, a gurney features a wheeled frame, often incorporating swivel casters with locking mechanisms for controlled movement on smooth surfaces.
Its core function is facilitated by height-adjustment capabilities, often powered by hydraulic or electric systems. This allows caregivers to position the patient optimally for transfer onto a hospital bed or operating table. This adjustability also enables specific patient positions, such as raising the head for respiratory comfort (Fowler’s position) or tilting the device head-down (Trendelenburg position) for managing shock. Integrated side rails ensure patient safety during transport, making the gurney a stable and versatile platform that can often be operated by a single trained professional.
Specialized Designs for Medical Settings
The engineering of gurneys is highly specialized, with different models tailored to the demands of specific medical environments.
Ambulance Gurneys (Cots)
Ambulance gurneys, often called cots, are built with robust frames and specialized loading mechanisms to endure the rigors of emergency medical services (EMS). These designs commonly feature collapsible legs and a secure locking system. This system uses an integral lug on the gurney that mates with a sprung latch inside the ambulance to prevent movement during high-speed transport. Some advanced models are equipped with battery-powered hydraulics, which automatically raise and collapse the legs, significantly reducing the risk of back injury for paramedics.
Hospital and Procedure Gurneys
Gurneys used within the facility prioritize patient comfort and clinical access over ruggedness. These models frequently include advanced positioning features, such as pneumatic or dual pedestal hydraulics, offering precise control over the patient’s angle for examinations or minor procedures. They are designed with surfaces that are easy to clean and disinfect, which is necessary to maintain a sterile environment. These gurneys often include integrated storage for medical supplies and attachment points for accessories like intravenous (IV) poles.
Specialized Procedure Surfaces
For surgical and diagnostic areas, gurneys function as specialized procedure surfaces, sometimes referred to as stretcher-chairs or surgical stretchers. Specialized gurneys are designed for specific clinical needs:
- Designs for ophthalmic procedures feature articulating headpieces to provide surgeons with precise access to the patient’s head.
- Models compatible with imaging equipment allow patients to remain on the mobile platform during procedures like X-rays or fluoroscopy without needing to be transferred.
- Bariatric gurneys are constructed with wider surfaces and reinforced frames to safely support patients with higher body mass, featuring higher weight capacities than standard models.
The Origin of the Name
The term “gurney” is believed to have originated from a historical connection rather than a direct inventor of the modern medical device. The name is linked to the design of a horse-drawn cab patented in the U.S. in 1883 by J. Theodore Gurney. Because the wheeled medical apparatus resembled the cab’s basic wheeled frame, the name was adopted for the hospital transport cart. By the 1930s, the term was established in the hospital context to describe the wheeled stretcher, distinguishing it from the simpler, carried litter.