Lift with care: enhancing patient safety in stretcher operations

What we know—and what you should too

Most incidents happen during unloading (65%) and loading (21%). A faulty safety catch bar causes 60% of mishaps, while uneven surfaces, ice and tilted parking contribute to nearly 20%. With 40 million transport requests annually, these risks add up.¹

Modern stretchers can weigh up to 165 lbs. Add monitors, oxygen tanks and heavier patients—some stretchers support up to 1,600 lbs.—and the exposure increases.

The financial impact is real

Stretcher mishaps in EMS have a significant financial impact through several mechanisms, including high workers compensation costs, patient lawsuits, and associated operational losses.

Workers compensation claims: Stretcher-related injuries, particularly musculoskeletal disorders from lifting and maneuvering, are frequent and costly. Studies have shown:

• One service reported total incurred costs of over $486,000 for 82 injuries related to patient lifting and moving over a period, with an average cost of over $5,900 per injury.²
• Patient handling claims account for a significant portion of medical costs within EMS workers compensation claims (34.4% in one study).²

Lost productivity and staffing issues: Injuries lead to lost work days (LWDs), the need for temporary replacements, overtime costs for existing staff, and potential long-term loss of earning potential for the injured provider.

Equipment damage: Mishaps can damage expensive equipment, requiring costly repairs or replacements.

Lawsuits and legal fees: Patient injuries resulting from mishandling or equipment failure can lead to substantial lawsuit.

Increased insurance premiums: A history of incidents and claims can increase an EMS agency's liability and workers compensation insurance premiums.

A safe stretcher program makes a difference

Benefits include:

• Fewer injuries to patients and EMS teams.
• Lower claims across workers compensation, liability and auto.
• Less downtime for equipment.
• Better morale and operational efficiency.

Key components of a safe stretcher program

Obstacle courses
Simulate real-world terrain, elevation changes and weather conditions. Use weighted mannequins to train for varied patient sizes and scenarios—stairs, elevators and all-terrain vehicles. Reinforce proper lifting and handling techniques.

Time outs
Before every move, pause to:

• Confirm equipment
• Clarify roles
• Communicate with the patient
• Plan the move

Device management
Ensure equipment is safe and reliable:

• Document training on all stretcher systems
• Check batteries and perform preventive maintenance
• Clearly report and tag faulty gear
• Retrain when human error is involved

Root cause analysis
Every incident or near-miss deserves review—not to assign blame, but to learn and prevent recurrence. These evaluations also support claims documentation.

In summary

Stretcher mishaps are preventable. A strong safety program—built on training, communication, smart policies and follow-through—protects your people and your patients.

Click here to utilize Markel’s stretcher training form.

References
¹Goodloe JM, Crowder CJ, Arthur AO, Thomas SH. EMS Stretcher "Misadventures" in a Large, Urban EMS System: A Descriptive Analysis of Contributing Factors and Resultant Injuries. Emerg Med Int. 2012;2012:745706. doi: 10.1155/2012/745706. Epub 2012 Apr 23. PMID: 22606379; PMCID: PMC3347780.
²Fratta KA, Levy MJ, Brothers JM, Baer GD, Scharf B. Occupational Injury Claims Related to Patient Lifting and Moving in a Safety-Oriented Emergency Medical Services Agency. Cureus. 2020 Sep 12;12(9):e10404.