Why Patient Transport & Mobilisation Matter

Every year, thousands of healthcare professionals experience injury due to manual handling during patient transfers. According to Safe Work Australia, over 40% of serious musculoskeletal injuries in the healthcare sector stem from patient movement tasks¹.Proper mobilisation tools not only reduce injury risk but also:

• Enhance patient comfort and dignity
• Improve care delivery speed and safety
• Assist in compliance with OH&S regulations

Products like the AERORESCUE soft stretcher and patient transfer boards provide low-friction, secure solutions for lifting, repositioning, and transporting patients in a variety of clinical settings.

Soft Stretchers: Lightweight and Versatile

The AERORESCUE Soft Stretcher is an essential piece of equipment for rapid patient movement, particularly in emergency and retrieval scenarios.

Key Features:

• Lightweight and foldable for easy storage
• Strong handles for multi-person carry
• Waterproof and easy-to-clean surface
• Suitable for confined or hard-to-access spaces

Soft stretchers are widely used in:

• Ambulance services
• Disaster zones
• Aged care and home nursing
• Hospitals during non-ambulatory transport

They offer an efficient way to transfer patients without needing bulky equipment, and they are compatible with most first aid protocols.

Best Practices for Patient Handling

Improper patient mobilisation can lead to injury or patient distress. Here’s how to ensure best outcomes when using transfer equipment:

Key Guidelines:

• Always assess the patient’s mobility level before transferring
• Use two or more trained staff for stretcher or board use
• Communicate clearly with the patient during movement
• Maintain proper body posture and alignment
• Disinfect and inspect equipment before each use

According to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, hospitals should include mobility aids like transfer boards in their manual handling policy to minimise staff injuries and patient falls.

Transfer Boards: Safe Movement with Minimal Strain

Patient transfer boards provide a bridge between surfaces—ideal for moving patients from beds to stretchers, chairs, or examination tables without lifting.

Available Types:

1. Transfer Board Large (1800 x 580 x 4.5mm, 150kg capacity)
2. Transfer Board Small (1180 x 580 x 4.5mm, 150kg capacity)

These boards reduce the physical strain on carers and minimise patient discomfort. Made from durable, low-friction materials, they’re designed to slide smoothly under a patient and between surfaces.

Best Used In:

• Aged care facilities
• Rehabilitation centres
• Emergency departments
• Hospitals with high patient flow

They meet the manual handling standards set by the Australian Government’s health departments and can support various patient weights.