Enhancing Patient Comfort and Safety in Emergency Medical Transportation: A Comparative Study of Powered vs. Manual Stretchers

Abstract Introduction: To assess the impact of powered stretchers in comparison to manual stretchers on both patient comfort and psychological benefits. Methods: A simulation study with 41 participants compared powered and manual stretchers. Sensors on participants collected X, Y, and Z-axis acceleration data during simulated patient movements. Participants experienced lifting/lowering and loading/unloading. Post-experiment surveys used a 7-point scale to rate comfort during stretcher movements. Results: The powered stretcher outperformed the manual stretcher in most lifting/lowering and loading/unloading movements, showing significantly lower RMS values, maximum accelerations, and minimum acceleration on each axis. In the Z-axis (vertical direction) acceleration, the powered stretcher demonstrated lower RMS (0.29 m/s² vs. 0.73 m/s², p < 0.001), maximum acceleration (1.60 m/s² vs. 2.90 m/s², p < 0.001), and minimum acceleration (-1.48 m/s² vs. -3.30 m/s², p < 0.001) compared to the manual stretcher. Similar results were observed in the comparison of participant loading/unloading movements, where the powered stretcher exhibited superiority in RMS values, maximum accelerations, and minimum acceleration on each axis. In the Z-axis acceleration, the powered stretcher showed lower RMS (0.32 m/s² vs. 0.89 m/s², p < 0.001), maximum acceleration (2.07 m/s² vs. 3.38 m/s², p < 0.001), and minimum acceleration (-2.34 m/s² vs. -3.72 m/s², p < 0.001) compared to the manual stretcher. Additionally, the powered stretcher significantly improved comfort questionnaire scores compared to the manual stretcher, indicating its potential to alleviate psychological discomfort and anxiety in participants. Conclusion: Powered stretchers demonstrate significant advantages in reducing patient discomfort and vibrations compared to manual stretchers.