Superintendent Dominic Rehayem of Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services on a powered stretcher (Photo: Submitted)
The new power stretchers used by the Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services are cutting down on injuries suffered by working paramedics.
A recent study in Ontario indicated that paramedic services using the power system stretchers showed a 78 percent decrease in injuries to the paramedics.
Last year the local service replaced the regular stretchers with those with a power system.
Chief of the Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services Doug Socha told the Emergency Services Committee recently they have decreased the number of lifts paramedics make on each call, which decreases the exposure to insurance benefit claims, and increases patient safety.
Socha says there have been no lifting injuries to paramedics lifting at the back of the ambulances since the installation.
He said he is seeing “a benefit already” with the implementation of the power stretchers.
