New device provides quick emergency evacuation Published Dec. 17, 2009 By Sue Campbell 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Wilford Hall Medical Center has purchased special devices for each inpatient bed, designed to reduce risk of injury to patients and staff and to expedite evacuations during emergency situations. The new emergency evacuation devices, or sleds, cocoon the patient and mattress together, allowing medical personnel to easily roll the patient down hallways and stairwells to safety. "The sleds are made of a vinyl material, similar to the hospital mattress covers," said Capt. Jesse Benavides, chief of plans and designs in the Facilities Management Department at Wilford Hall. "There are numerous small wheels on the underside, so moving a patient now requires no lifting, only pulling." In the past, hospital staff used litters to transport patients during emergency situations. The litters required four people to transport one patient, putting a strain on manpower and, most importantly, taking staff away from attending to other patients. With the new sleds, one person can transport one patient. The device fits between the hospital bed frame and mattress. If an emergency arises, the bed is lowered; the patient is cocooned into the device, including their IV, portable equipment and medical records; and the patient is gently pulled off the bed frame and away to safety. "The mattress and the sled's five spinal boards provide a very comfortable ride that protects the patient," said Captain Benavides. "There is also a built-in braking system that makes it easy for the sled to stop, which is great when going down stairs." During training, a female nurse was easily able to transport a male patient down several flights of stairs, braking as needed, without significant fatigue or endangerment to herself or the patient. The sleds are manufactured with antifungal antibacterial material that is wiped down at the same time the mattress is cleaned when each patient is discharged. They are now being used at all Veterans Administration hospitals, the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base hospital in Ohio, and the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, Calif.