A hospital gurney, often called a patient trolley or transport stretcher, is medical equipment used to move patients safely within a healthcare environment. It serves as a mobile platform for patients who cannot walk or sit comfortably, ensuring smooth transitions between different areas of a facility. The gurney maintains patient stability and allows for the continuation of basic care during movement.
Defining the Hospital Gurney
A hospital gurney is a narrow, wheeled bed designed to support a patient in a lying down or semi-reclined position during short-distance transfers. Built on a sturdy frame with a cushioned surface, it offers a secure way to move individuals who are injured, ill, or recovering from a procedure. Its function is rapid and safe movement between clinical settings, not long-term patient housing.
Gurneys are common in areas where patient flow is frequent and time-sensitive. Environments like Emergency Departments (EDs), surgical preparation and recovery rooms, and radiology suites rely heavily on gurneys for operational efficiency. For example, a patient stabilized in the ED may be moved on a gurney to an imaging center for a diagnostic scan or to the operating room for surgery.
The design emphasizes temporary use, prioritizing durability and maneuverability over extended rest. Gurneys are covered with non-porous, medical-grade materials that facilitate rigorous cleaning and decontamination protocols. This focus on hygiene is necessary to prevent the spread of infection as the equipment travels throughout the hospital.
Essential Functional Components
The effectiveness of a hospital gurney relies on several integrated engineering features focused on mobility and patient security. The wheel system typically features four swivel casters for easy navigation through tight corridors and elevators. These wheels include reliable locking mechanisms to keep the gurney stationary and stable when transferring a patient or administering care.
Adjustable height features, often utilizing hydraulic or pneumatic systems, are a defining mechanical characteristic. This adjustability allows staff to raise or lower the surface to match the height of a hospital bed or operating table. This reduces physical strain on caregivers and minimizes the risk of injury during patient transfers. Some advanced models incorporate battery-powered motors to assist with lifting and movement, which is particularly helpful for bariatric patients.
To ensure security during transit, gurneys include durable, collapsible side rails that can be quickly raised and lowered. The surface is often segmented, allowing the head and foot sections to be independently adjusted. This enables medically necessary positions like the Trendelenburg (head-down tilt) or Fowler’s (seated) positions. Modern gurneys also include accessory attachments, such as telescoping intravenous (IV) poles and brackets for securing oxygen tanks or patient monitoring devices.
Gurneys vs. Related Equipment
While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, the hospital gurney differs from other patient transport equipment based on its design and intended use. A standard stretcher, for example, is a simpler, non-wheeled device designed for manual carrying over short distances or difficult terrain. Stretchers are often lighter and collapsible, lacking the height adjustment and robust features of a gurney.
The hospital bed is designed for long-term patient comfort and stationary use, often featuring complex electronic controls and integration with advanced monitoring equipment. Unlike the gurney, which functions as a transport vehicle, the hospital bed is built to be a temporary home for the patient. A specialized type of gurney is the ambulance cot, engineered with self-locking mechanisms to secure it inside an emergency vehicle. This allows it to be loaded and unloaded efficiently while maintaining patient security during high-speed transport.