A new report from Southern Health–Santé Sud reveals that power-assisted stretchers are paying for themselves by reducing injuries to Manitoba paramedics.

In October 2012 the MGEU reported on a power-assisted stretcher trial that was being piloted in Southern Health-Santé Sud Emergency Medical Services with funding from the regional health authority and Manitoba Health.

Seventeen power-assist stretchers were purchased for a two year trial with the goal of determining whether the equipment, which costs approximately double that of a standard ambulance stretcher, would reduce injuries to paramedics caused by lifting patients.

The trial is now complete and according to a report released by Southern Health-Santé Sud, it has been a complete success.

“Back injuries have decreased by at least 71% in the years since implementation (total decreases were from 7 in 2010 and 6 in 2011 to 0 in 2012 and 2 in each of 2013 and 2014.),” says the report. “Annual total direct costs for time lost injuries overall has decreased by $112,775.00 since 2012... With a lifespan of approximately 10 years per stretcher, savings will continue for 7 years after this equipment has paid for itself.”

The report also goes one step further by recommending that “there be consideration towards a province wide change.”

That’s something MGEU EMS Component Director, Brent Curry, would like to see happen sooner rather than later.

“For the health and well-being of our members, we’d like to see more of these stretchers implemented across the province as soon as possible. If that wasn’t reason enough, it’s also pretty hard to argue with the cost-savings the RHA has experienced. I think what we’re seeing in the report is a pretty strong endorsement to expand this program.”

SHSS Safe Client Handling and Power Stretcher Trial Report (pdf)