| dc.description.abstract | Transferring bedridden patients
from one flat surface to another, i.e. from a
bed to a stretcher or laboratory/theater
bed, is one of crucial activities carried out
in healthcare facilities. It is a physically
challenging task with many concerns on
patient’s safety and comfortability. None of
the existing methods used for that task
provides effective solution. Hence, this
study aims at providing a mechanism to
transfer bedridden patients with greater
safety and comfort while reducing the
human involvement.
The study was carried out in four phases.
Initially, data collection was carried out to
identify variety of methods, devices used
for patient transferring both locally and
globally. Further, a survey was done to
identify main factors affecting when
performing a transfer by interviewing all
stakeholders of the activity including
doctors, nurses, attendants, lab technicians.
Secondly, design phase was completed.
Thirdly, designed device was fabricated
and finally, it was tested to refine and
improve further. Developed design is a
semi-automated device which needs only
one operator to operate. When using it,
patient’s orientation is not required to
change, and no any human effort needed.
All the lifting and transferring movements
are matched to standards given by WHO.
Machine was tested using real size dummy
as the patient and feedback was obtained
from variety of medical staff involving with
patient transferring. Qualitative data
collection was done on performance. As per
the feedback on testing, device is capable of providing a safe, comfortable and less
physically demanding mechanism to
transfer bedridden patients. | en_US |
