Equipping hospital wards in times of conflict and disasters

Graphic showing a map of countries with reported armed clashes in 2022. The infographic was created using data from The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.

Hospital ward equipment adapted to the working conditions

Power cuts, dampness, rooms unsuitable for hospital use or lack of access to disinfectants. This is the reality faced by medical equipment that saves people’s lives during wars, conflicts, or disasters. Tactically securing medical care requires specific measures and specialised equipment. Government agencies around the world go to great lengths to provide safeguards for such situations. Thus, they purchase and stockpile hospital ward equipment to be sent to the site of a conflict or disaster when needed. Such equipment often has to work in field conditions or in conditions not adapted to hospital standards. By choosing the right equipment when stocking up, it is possible to make a significant difference to the quality of medical assistance in extreme situations. Let’s have a look at the three main products found in hospitals and consider what features they should have to meet the challenges they will face.

Hospital beds

Knowing that hospital beds will be functioning in difficult conditions, we should consider several aspects. Firstly, let’s consider whether to choose a simple bed, whose functions will not depend on power supply, or an electric bed. A simple bed will work well wherever reliability is required. Manual adjustment of the backrest or leg segment will definitely satisfy the requirements of patients with minor injuries. In the case of beds with electric control, we should choose solutions that will allow us to change position using battery power in an emergency. Hospital beds should also have large wheels to make it easier to move over uneven terrain and overcome small obstacles. A 5th wheel may also prove helpful. It goes without saying that hospital ward equipment should have adequate protection against environmental influences. The presence of antimicrobial technology would also be welcome. Such a solution may have an impact on reducing hospital-acquired infections when access to disinfectants is limited.

Operating table – manual or electric?

When choosing the right operating table, it is also important to consider the method of adjustment. If we know that power supply restrictions will permanently affect our work, we should choose a table with manual control. In tables of this type, movement adjustment is usually carried out by reliable gas springs and a hydraulic pump. They are responsible for changing the height of the tabletop, the angular inclination of the footrests, the headrest or the back segment. Choosing the right model will also make it possible to set the lateral tilt, longitudinal movement and elevation of the kidney elevator. Wherever we need a table with electric control, we should pay attention to the possibility of operating the table on battery power. An important factor here will be the number of cycles that a particular model will be able to complete on a full charge. It will also be a good idea to choose a table with an alternative drive. This will ensure that all electro-hydraulic adjustments will continue to work even in the event of a control system failure or loss of power supply. Such tables have two independent drive systems – electro-hydraulic and mechanical-hydraulic.

Famed Żywiec operating table with AlterSafe™ alternative drive..

What other features should an operating table for special tasks have?

When choosing the right operating table, it is also important to consider the method of adjustment. If we know that power supply restrictions will permanently affect our work, we should choose a table with manual control. In tables of this type, movement adjustment is usually carried out by reliable gas springs and a hydraulic pump. They are responsible for changing the height of the tabletop, the angular inclination of the footrests, the headrest or the back segment. Choosing the right model will also make it possible to set the lateral tilt, longitudinal movement and elevation of the kidney elevator. Wherever we need a table with electric control, we should pay attention to the possibility of operating the table on battery power. An important factor here will be the number of cycles that a particular model will be able to complete on a full charge. It will also be a good idea to choose a table with an alternative drive. This will ensure that all electro-hydraulic adjustments will continue to work even in the event of a control system failure or loss of power supply. Such tables have two independent drive systems – electro-hydraulic and mechanical-hydraulic.

Equipment for hospital wards – patient transport stretchers

Choosing a patient transport stretcher with the right features can prove to be a real game changer, increasing its field of application. Even a simple two-section stretcher with manual control can serve as a treatment table in extreme situations. Considering such an application, we should pay attention to the possibility of Trendelenburg and Anti-Trendelenburg tilt. The ability to quickly lower the backrest for resuscitation purposes will also be crucial. Obviously, the choice of a three-section stretcher will give us greater possibilities with regard to patient positioning and use as a hospital bed in emergency situations, for example. Looking beyond the stretcher’s standard use, let us also consider the possibility of mounting additional equipment – such as side rails for mounting accessories needed for procedures or a shelf for monitors. Let us not forget that the primary function of a stretcher is to transport patients. Hospital ward equipment of this type should be fitted with large wheels for easy manoeuvring, ergonomic handles for pushing, wheel locks, and a direction wheel or 5th wheel.