4 Ways Theatre Day Trolleys Improve Patient Care

March 20th marks ASSITEJ World Day of Theatre for Children and Young People with the message ‘Take a Child to the Theatre, Today’. During this week all ASSITEJ Centres, Affiliates, theatre companies, teachers and artists are invited to connect with the global celebration.

A two-stage recovery process is used with nurse led discharge using physiological parameters. This has enabled adenotonsillectomy pathway development.

1. Enhanced Mobility

Hospital trolleys are a vital part of the healthcare industry. They help transport patients and equipment around a hospital or medical facility, while they provide optimal positioning and support. Hospital trolleys come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, each designed to perform specific tasks. Choosing the right trolley for a particular healthcare environment requires careful consideration, taking into account factors like durability, ergonomics, and compliance with medical standards.

One important factor in selecting a suitable hospital trolley is its ability to transport large quantities of weight. Trolleys that can accommodate large loads without compromising stability are often preferred, as they make it easier for staff to lift and maneuver. Some trolleys are also designed to be as lightweight as possible, reducing stress on both staff and patients. The QA3 surgery trolley system, for example, is made from ultra-lightweight materials and features a fifth wheel in the centre of the frame. This makes it much more manoeuvrable than similar products, such as the Rapido and OpFlex, while still providing a high safe working load of 160kgs.

Other features that should be considered when selecting a hospital trolley include its ability to be customized and the safety and security of its compartments. Some trolleys offer a range of optional accessories, such as IV pole holders and lockable storage spaces. This allows healthcare professionals to keep essential supplies within easy reach and prevents them from being stolen. Likewise, trolleys with lockable doors can be secured to prevent unauthorised access.

In addition to these functionalities, it is also important that hospital trolleys comply with healthcare standards and regulations. This is because many countries and regions have specific guidelines on how healthcare equipment should be manufactured and tested. Hospital trolleys that do not meet these standards may pose a risk to patient health and safety.

Lastly, hospital trolleys should be durable and robust enough to withstand the rigours of regular use in busy healthcare environments. The Linet Sprint 200 is a premium hydraulic emergency transport trolley that is designed to meet these demands. It includes a powered drive control, which reduces pushing forces to the touch of a button and helps to prevent strain injuries for staff members. It also features IV&Drive, which combines push handles and IV poles into a single unit to improve pushing ergonomics and eliminate the need for removable poles that can easily get lost or damaged.

2. Increased Efficiency

Trolleys are used in many different areas of a hospital, including patient wards and operating theatres. They are used to transport medical equipment and supplies throughout the facility, helping to improve efficiency and ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

Modern trolleys are designed to incorporate a variety of innovative features that improve functionality and efficiency. These include electronic locking systems, adjustable shelves and compartments, and integrated power supplies for charging medical devices. Some also feature touchscreen control panels and barcode scanners for inventory management.

Choosing a trolley that meets the hospital’s specific requirements is crucial to ensuring safety and efficiency. For example, the hospital may require trolleys that are radiolucent or capable of supporting large loads. In addition, the trolley should be durable enough to withstand regular use and frequent cleaning. It is also important to select a trolley that is easy to maneuver and clean, which can help reduce staff fatigue.

Hospital trolleys are a critical part of the healthcare industry, but they can present some challenges when they’re not properly maintained. In order to prevent problems, hospitals should ensure that their trolleys are in good working condition and comply with local and national standards. This can be done by conducting regular inspections and maintenance and addressing any issues that arise.

Efficient process design can help to increase theatre capacity and decrease reliance on inpatient beds. For example, some ISTCs have managed to perform six or seven arthroscopies per day compared with three or four in the NHS. By taking into account the hospital’s unique operational and physical pathways, these ISTCs were able to optimize their processes by eliminating extraneous steps and minimizing turnaround times. They also centralized their booking and scheduling processes by implementing WIWO and making it easier for consultants to book a list. This helped to eliminate vacated theatre slots that would have otherwise been wasted. Additionally, the ISTCs prioritized patients with comorbidities and high morbidity so they could be scheduled earlier in the day. The result was reduced waiting times and shorter lengths of stay for patients.

3. Reduced Errors

The use of theatre day trolleys reduces the chances of manual lifting, therefore reducing the risk of injury to patients and nurses. This also improves nurse satisfaction as they can focus on other tasks without worrying about patient transfers. In addition, the one-trolley system in theatre greatly reduces time spent cleaning between patients.

In one example, the paediatric theatre day surgery unit at RMCH has adopted a ‘walk in walk out’ (WIWO) model. The model has been successful at reducing theatre flow and the need for overnight beds. It has achieved this by utilising staffing, estates and IT differently.

Firstly, the WIWO lead practitioner attends scheduling meetings to identify suitable patients for the procedure and confirm this on EPIC. This has reduced the need for the ward to transfer children into theatre, thus preventing delays. Secondly, the use of the Rapido trolley rather than a more expensive QA4 or OpFlex trolley allows for greater capacity – whilst all trolleys have full X-ray translucency, they all require the X-ray machine to be turned off in order to be used.

The WIWO model is also a way of encouraging more nursing involvement in theatres. By focusing on specific procedures, nurses can feel more empowered and confident in their role, improving team morale and providing better care for patients. This approach is also a great way to encourage more junior members of staff to consider becoming a theatre nurse, as they can gain a wide range of skills and experience working in different areas of the hospital.

4. Improved Patient Care

A well-designed trolley improves the comfort of healthcare staff by providing a more organized and mobile work space. Trolleys with easy-to-reach shelves and compartments can significantly reduce the need for staff to stretch or reach, which can minimize potential strain injuries and illnesses. Additionally, ergonomic features like user-friendly handles and smooth-rolling wheels can help reduce the amount of physical strain placed on healthcare workers during use.

Hospital trolleys must be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis to ensure the safe and effective operation of the equipment. A thorough cleaning process can eliminate bacteria and other microorganisms that could otherwise pose a risk to patients. Regular inspections are also crucial to identify and repair any damaged components of the trolley.

Medical trolleys should be designed with the patient in mind. Ergonomic features like adjustable heights, convenient storage spaces, and simple-to-reach levers can make the difference between an efficient medical workplace and one that is frustrating for both clinicians and patients. A modern trolley should also offer high-quality materials and a robust design to resist damage from accidental or intentional misuse.

During a survey of patients waiting for surgery, it was found that the majority of them would prefer to walk to theatre rather than be transferred in a trolley if they were given the choice. This preference was particularly apparent amongst younger patients, day-case patients, and men. It is possible that improved hospital clothing, which now includes slippers for both patients and nurses, may have played a role in this finding. However, many patients will be unable to walk to theatre, especially those who are unwell or immobile. Furthermore, some sub-groups of patients will be prescribed opiate or benzodiazepine premedication, which renders them unable to walk on their own.

To improve patient care, hospitals should consider adopting a policy of giving all patients the option to walk to theatre rather than be transferred on a trolley. This could reduce patient pre-operative anxiety and free up portering resources for more urgent tasks. It is also important to ensure that trolleys are fully radiolucent, as this can help improve visibility and safety during transport.

Keep Up to Date with the Most Important News

By pressing the Subscribe button, you confirm that you have read and are agreeing to our Privacy Policy