EMS personnel face crisis and trauma situations daily.

EMS personnel recently responded to a survey about their experience with their MegaMover® Transport Unit (or units). As we had hoped, they reported that the MegaMover® made providing emergency medical care easier. 

EMS providers help everyone in need. As knowledgeable and caring first responders, EMS providers offer equal care without regard to gender, age, race, or appearance. While this quality of care is the same for all, the protocol for treatment can vary for patients based on these same factors. A common factor that providers need to prepare for is the transport and care of the smallest and largest patients.

This year has been quite a year for natural disasters. Wildfires in California and the Pacific Northwest have destroyed homes, businesses, and wildlife as well as having negatively impacted air quality. Hurricanes have caused extensive flooding and major property damage in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. Plus, multiple earthquakes in Mexico. These disasters effect everything; gas prices, crops, infrastructure, and also EMS health and safety.

A flexible stretcher is used wherever it's impractical to gain access to a patient using a conventional rigid stretcher. While at first glance it may seem that this would be the exception, not the rule, there are many instances where the use of rigid stretchers is compromised due to narrow stairways, small doorways, and tight passages.

The moving and transport of trauma patients is never easy, especially if they're seriously injured, comatose or bariatric. It should go without saying that EMS and rescue personnel need to extricate and transport the injured patients without creating additional injury. An issue of great concern has been that of aggravating spinal injuries.

Fire suppression events generally occur in hazardous and stressful environments which often include flames, smoke, and falling debris. Rescue situations are often high-stress and rarely occur in ideal conditions. Emergency medical first responders are often subject to health issues and injuries on the job.

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics have an injury rate three times above the national average. To say there are pain points created during patient transportation is a fun play on words, but it's true. These emergency medical responders are highly prone to painful sprains, strains, bruises, and more.

Every second counts when transporting a patient to an emergency medical provider. Some patients may be critical, needing necessary care within that golden hour-long window. Other patients might be okay, but require fast stabilization of a break or tear to prevent further injury. Even minor ailments can cause patients extra pain and anxiety if they have to wait for transportation and care.

Patient transport challenges are nothing new, but EMS supply managers and directors are seeking better ways of transport that are suitable for heavier-to-morbidly-obese patients as well as to protect EMS personnel. EMS World reports that lower back injuries account for more than 21% of EMS workplace-related injuries. And more than half of the back injuries result from lifting patients.