A redesign over 80 years in the making
Hospitals are constantly evolving to improve patient outcomes, yet a key piece of equipment that is ubiquitous, although never intended for use in the hospital, has gone unaltered since it was patented in 1933. Michael Graves and Stryker undertook a research project to establish a new standard for seated patient transport in the hospital. Research discoveries turned into solutions to problems that transcend pushing patients in wheelchairs.
Every stakeholder has a story to tell
By observing countless escorts transporting patients throughout hospitals in North America and in Europe, we learned that traditional x-frame wheelchairs contribute to patient falls, create back pain for caregivers, facilitate unwanted spread of infection, and are stolen from hospitals. These data points encouraged Stryker to purse a value added device that would transform hospital expectations.