patients, and the sur-
geon knows that
patients are right
where he needs them
to be when he arrives
in the laser room.
From a logistical
standpoint, stretcher
chairs help maximize
patient flow and
throughput. They're
easy to maneuver so
you can wheel patients to the ideal locations to perform a task. The
inherent limitations of traditional chairs can force you to, let's say,
dilate patients in one area and have the surgeon mark patients in a dif-
ferent location.
In the 7-plus years that we've had our stretcher chairs, we've had no
mechanical or service repair issues. We paid around $15,000 for each
chair, but for a repetitive procedure like cataract surgery, not having
to adjust the chair height dozens of times a day saves valuable
turnover time, and streamlines the surgical process and patient flow.
To justify the cost, take into account that the stretcher chairs will
replace a certain number of stretchers and recliners. You'll also
save on nursing time, and experience fewer staff and patient
injuries.
No-lift, no-transfer policy
Stretcher chairs play a key role in the no-lift/no-transfer work environ-
ment we've created for our staff. For starters, they lower your risk of
patient falls during transfers. For example, you can lower the height-
3 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U N E 2 0 1 9
• SIT, STAY Stretcher chairs transport and support patients from admission to dis-
charge on the same surface.
SightTrust
Eye
Institute
Surgery
Center
