The document provides safety guidelines for operating a Stryker ambulance cot. It summarizes the cot specifications, manufacturer warnings, proper techniques for loading and unloading a cot from an ambulance with one or two operators, and safe practices for moving a cot with a patient. Key safety points include using restraint straps, not leaving patients unattended, engaging safety locks, and always having two operators for loading/unloading a cot with a patient.

1. 1
STRETCHER OPERATION,STRETCHER OPERATION,
SAFETY & BESTSAFETY & BEST
PRACTICESPRACTICES
FOR USE WITH STRYKERFOR USE WITH STRYKER
AMBULANCE COTAMBULANCE COT
1/22/141/22/14 -DRAFT-

2. 2-DRAFT-

3. 3-DRAFT-

4. 4
Class Objectives
By the end of class, the student will be
able to
 Familiarize yourself with relevant parts of
the stretcher
 Know how to operate the Stryker safely
and effectively
-DRAFT-

5. 5
Overview
Manufacturer’s Warning
Stretcher “anatomy”
“Positions”
Loading & unloading
Stretcher movement
Safe operation
-DRAFT-

6. 6
Stretcher Specifications
Overall Length
 80.5”
Overall width
 23”
Weight
 81 pounds
Maximum weight capacity
 650 lbs
-DRAFT-

7. 7
Manufacturer’s “Warnings”
Improper usage of the Stryker Cot can
cause injury to the patient or the
operator. Operate the cot only as
manufacturers recommendations
Always use all restraint straps to
secure the patient on the cot. An
unrestrained patient may fall from cot or
be ejected from cot and be injured.
-DRAFT-

8. 8
Side rails are not intended to serve as
patient restraint devices. Failure to
utilize the side rails properly could result
in patient injury.
Never leave a patient unattended on
the cot or injury could result. Hold the
cot securely while a patient is on the cot
-DRAFT-

9. 9
Never apply the optional wheel lock while a
patient is on the cot. Tipping could occur if
the cot is moved while wheel locks are
applied, resulting in injury to the patient or
operator and /or damage to the cot.
Wheel locks are only intended to help prevent
the cot from rolling while unattended. Wheel
locks may not provide sufficient resistance on
all surfaces or under loads.
-DRAFT-

10. 10
Be sure the undercarriage has engaged and
locked before removing the loading wheels
from the patient compartment floor of the
vehicle. An unlocked undercarriage will not
support the cot and injury to the patient
and/or operator could result.
Do not allow untrained helpers to assist in the
operation of the cot. Untrained
technicians/helpers can cause injury to the
patient or themselves.
-DRAFT-

11. 11
`
Grasping the Rugged Cot improperly can
cause injury. Grasp only the lifting bars to lift
the cot. Keep hands, fingers, and feet away
from moving parts. To avoid injury, use
extreme caution when placing your feet near
the base tubes while raising and lowering the
cot.
Failure to use the vehicle safety hook can
cause injury to the patient or operator.
-DRAFT-

12. 12
To avoid injury, verify the safety bar has
engaged the safety hook before
removing the cot from the patient
compartment
Make sure that the optional head end
storage pouch does not interfere with
the operation of the safety bar and
safety hook. Injury may occur.
-DRAFT-

13. 13
Do not pull or lift on the safety bar when
unloading the cot. Damage to the
safety bar could result and injury to the
patient or operator could occur.
Do not ride on the base of the cot.
Damage to the cot could occur,
resulting in injury to the patient or
operator
-DRAFT-

14. 14
Failure to properly clean or dispose of contaminated
mattress or cot components will increase the risk of
cross contamination exposure to blood borne
pathogens and may cause injury to the patient or the
operator.
Damage to the cot can occur if the cot is lowered in
the shortened position. Use only positions 5-7 when
the cot is shortened.
Do not allow the cot undercarriage to drop unassisted
(commonly known as a “hot drop”) when removing
the cot from the vehicle. Repeated hot dropping will
cause premature wear or damage to the cot
-DRAFT-

15. 15
It’s all about position!
The Stryker RX-PRO stretcher has seven (7)
different positions
 Starting from the highest to the lowest
 Position 7 – 38”
 Position 6 – 35”
 Position 5 – 32”
 Position 4 – 29”
 Position 3 – 25”
 Position 2 – 20.5”
 Position 1 – 13”
-DRAFT-

16. 16
Rolling Operation
It is now recommended that you only
roll the cot at a level below the first two
positions.
The height should be at 32” and it
mostly parallel to the ground
This will drop the stretcher’s center of
gravity
-DRAFT-

17. 17
Cot Operation
Use a minimum of two (2) trained and
equipment oriented operators to
manipulate the cot while a patient is on
it.
Do not adjust, roll, or load the cot
without advising the patient.
Stay with the patient and control the cot
at all times
-DRAFT-

18. 18
Never apply the optional wheel lock
while a patient is on the cot
Always use the restraint straps and
keep the side rails up when a patient is
on the cot
Use properly oriented and trained
helpers when necessary to control the
cot and patient
-DRAFT-

19. 19
Transferring a patient to the
cot
Roll the cot to the patient
Place the cot beside the patient and raise/lower the
cot to the patient’s level
Lower the side rails and open the restraint straps
Transfer the patient to the cot using accepted EMS
procedures
Use all the restraints to secure the patient to the cot
Raise the side rails and adjust the backrest and leg
rest as necessary, ensure shoulder restraints are
properly secured
-DRAFT-

20. 20
WARNING!!!!!
Always use all restraint straps to secure the
patient on the cot. An unrestrained patient
may fall from the cot and be injured.
Never apply the optional wheel lock while a
patient is on the cot. Tipping could occur if
the cot is moved while the wheel lock is
applied, resulting in injury to the patient or
operator and/or damage to the cot.
-DRAFT-

21. 21
Rolling the cot
Make sure all the restraint straps are
securely buckled around the patient.
Place the cot in positions 2-5 for rolling.
When rolling the cot, position an
operator at the foot end and one at the
head end at all times.
-DRAFT-

22. 22
LOADING THE RUGGED
COT INTO A VEHICLE
ALWAYS USE TWO
OPERATORS AT A MINIMUM
-DRAFT-

23. 23
Loading the cot into a vehicle
with two operators
When loading the cot into a vehicle, an
operator should remember the following
important issues:
 Two (2) operators must be present when the cot is
occupied.
 There must be a safety hook installed in the
vehicle.
 Operators must be able to lift the total weight of
the patient, cot and any items on the cot. If the
operators are unsure of ability to lift, request
assistance of oriented and trained personnel
-DRAFT-

24. 24
 The higher an operator must lift the cot, the
more difficult it becomes to hold the weight.
A trained and oriented operator may need
help loading the cot if he/she is too short or
if the patient is too heavy to lift safely. The
trained and oriented operator must be able
to lift the cot high enough for the cot’s legs
to unfold completely and lock when the cot
is unloaded. A shorter operator will have
to raise his/her arms higher to enable the
undercarriage to unfold.
-DRAFT-

25. 25
 Place the cot in a loading position (any position
where the loading wheels meet the vehicle floor
height). Roll the cot to the open door of the
patient compartment. Lift the vehicle step bumper
to the raised position.
 Push the cot forward until the loading wheels are
on the patient compartment floor and the safety
bar passes the safety hook.
 For maximum clearance to lift the base, pull the
cot back until the safety bar engages the safety
hook.
-DRAFT-

26. 26
WARNING!!!!WARNING!!!!
Failure to use the safety hook can result
in injury!
-DRAFT-

27. 27
OPERATOR 1
Grasp the cot frame at the foot end
Lift the foot end of the cot until the
weight is off the latching mechanism
Squeeze and hold the release handle
-DRAFT-

28. 28
OPERATOR 2
Stabilize the cot by placing your hand
on the outer rail
Grasp the base frame where indicated
After the foot end operator has lifted the
cot and squeezed the release handle,
raise the undercarriage until it stops in
the uppermost position and hold it
there.
-DRAFT-

29. 29
BOTH OPERATORS
Push the cot into the patient
compartment, engaging the cot
fastener.
-DRAFT-

30. 30
LOADING THE EMPTY
RUGGED COT INTO A
VEHICLE
USING ONE TRAINED AND
ORIENTED OPERATOR
-DRAFT-

31. 31
WARNING!!!!
This procedure is for use only with an
empty cot
Do not use this procedure when loading
a patient
Injury to the patient and/or operator
could result
-DRAFT-

32. 32
PROCEDURE
Place the cot in a loading position
 Any position in which the load wheels meet the
vehicle floor height
Roll the cot to the open door of the patient
compartment
Lift the vehicle step bumper to the raised
position (if possible)
Push the cot forward until the loading wheels
are on the compartment floor and the safety
bar passes the safety hook
-DRAFT-

33. 33
Pull the cot back until the safety bar
engages the safety hook
Grasp the cot frame at the foot end and
squeeze and hold the release handle
Lower the foot end of the cot to the
ground
 Make sure the cot locks in position 1
-DRAFT-

34. 34
Lift the foot end of the cot until it is level with
the compartment floor
Grasp the base of the cot with one hand and
pull up the base of the cot towards the litter,
reducing the space between the base and the
litter
Push the cot into the patient compartment,
guiding it into the cot fastener
-DRAFT-

35. 35
UNLOADING THE COT
FROM A VEHICLE
USING TWO TRAINED AND
ORIENTED OPERATORS
-DRAFT-

36. 36
WARNING!!!!!
BOTH TRAINED AND ORIENTED
OPERATORS MUST BE OUTSIDE OF
THE VEHICLE BEFORE ANY
REMOVAL OF A LOADED
STRETCHER CAN BE STARTED
THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO
THIS RULE!!!!!
-DRAFT-

37. 37
Disengage the cot from the cot fastener
OPERATOR #1
 Grasp the cot frame
 Pull the cot out of the patient compartment
until the safety bar engages the safety
hook
-DRAFT-

38. 38
WARNING!!!!!WARNING!!!!!
To avoid injury, verify the safety bar has
engaged the safety hook before
removing the cot from the patient
compartment
Failure to use the safety hook can
cause injury to the patient or operator.
Install and use the safety hook
-DRAFT-

39. 39
OPERATOR #2
 Grasp the base frame where indicated, lift slightly,
and lower the base frame to its fully extended
position while the trained and oriented operator #1
squeezes and holds the release handle
OPERATOR #1
 Let go of the release handle and be sure the
undercarriage locks into place
OPERATOR #2
 Disengage the safety bar from the safety hook by
pushing the safety bar release lever forward
-DRAFT-

40. 40
WARNING!!!!
Do not pull or lift on the safety bar when
unloading the cot.
Damage to the safety bar could result
and injury to the patient or operator
could occur
-DRAFT-

41. 41
CAUTION!!!!
Do not allow the cot undercarriage to
drop unassisted
 Commonly known as “hot dropping”
Repeated hot dropping will cause
premature wear or damage to the cot
-DRAFT-

42. 42
Remove the cot loading wheels from
the vehicle
Place the cot in a rolling position
 Positions 2-5
-DRAFT-

43. 43
WARNING!!!!
Be sure the undercarriage has engaged
before removing the load wheels from
the patient compartment floor of the
vehicle
An unlocked undercarriage will not
support the cot and injury to the patient
or operator could result
-DRAFT-

44. 44
UNLOADING AN EMPTY
STRYKER COT FROM A
VEHICLE
USING ONE TRAINED AND
ORIENTED OPERATOR
-DRAFT-

45. 45
WARNING!!!!!
This procedure is for use only with an
empty cot
Never use this procedure when
unloading a patient
Injury to the patient and/or operator
could result
-DRAFT-

46. 46
Lift the vehicle step bumper to the raised position
Grasp the cot frame at the foot end; pull the cot
from the vehicle until the safety bar engages the
safety hook
Lower the foot end of the cot to the ground
Squeeze and hold the release handle and raise
the foot end of the cot back to a level position
with the compartment floor
Disengage the safety bar from the safety hook by
pushing the safety bar release lever forward and
roll the cot out of the vehicle.
-DRAFT-

47. 47
CHANGING COT HEIGHT
WITH TWO TRAINED AND
ORIENTED OPERATORS
-DRAFT-

48. 48
NOTE:
Changing the height while a patient is
on the cot requires a minimum of two
trained and oriented operators
Positioned at both ends or on each side
of the cot
Each trained and oriented operator
must grasp the cot frame securely.
-DRAFT-

49. 49
To lower the cot from the ends
Procedure
 The trained and oriented operator at the foot end of the cot
positions his/her hands so the release handle can be
squeezed while a secure grip is maintained on the lifting
bars.
 Both trained and oriented operators must lift the cot until the
weight is off the latching mechanism.
 The operator at the foot end squeezes and holds the release
handle and both operators then raise or lower the cot
together.
 The handle is released when the desired position is reached
 Both operators should maintain a secure grip on the litter
frame until the latching mechanism is securely locked into
position.
-DRAFT-

50. 50
To lower the cot from the
sides
Procedure
 The trained and oriented operator on the patient’s right
positions his/her hands so he/she can reach the release
handle at the midpoint of the litter
 Both trained and oriented operators must lift the cot until the
weight is off the latching mechanism.
 The operator at the patient’s right squeezes and holds the
release handle
 Both operators then raise or lower the cot together
 The handle is released when the desired position is
reached.
 Both operators should maintain a secure grip on the litter
frame until the latching mechanism is securely locked into
position
-DRAFT-

51. 51
WARNING!!!!!!
Grasping the Stryker cot improperly can
cause injury
Grasp only the litter frame or the lifting bar to
lift the cot
Keep hands, fingers, and feet away from
moving parts
To avoid injury, use extreme caution when
placing your feet near the base tubes while
raising and lowering the cot
-DRAFT-

52. 52
The “Riggs & Murtaugh”
phenomenon
-DRAFT-

53. 53
What in God’s name is that?
The “Riggs & Murtaugh” phenomenon
states:
 Whenever you are going to do any
maneuver with the stretcher, stair chair,
etc., COMMUNICATE!!
 Make sure your partner and the patient,
knows what your are going to do
 1, 2, 3
 1, 2, 3, GO!
-DRAFT-

54. 54
CHANGING THE HEIGHT OF
AN EMPTY COT
USING ONE TRAINED AND
ORIENTED OPERATOR
-DRAFT-

55. 55
To raise/lower the cot from the
foot end
Procedure
 Standing at the foot end of the cot, grasp
the lower food end lift tube
 Tip the cot up onto the load wheels
 Squeeze and hold the release handle and
raise or lower the foot end to the desired
position
 Lower the cot back onto the four base
wheels
-DRAFT-

56. 56
To raise/lower the cot from the
side
Procedure
 Place one foot on the outer base tube
 Grasp the side release handle with on
hand
 Place your other hand on the outer support
rail to help stabilize the cot
 Squeeze the side release handle and raise
or lower the cot to the desired position
-DRAFT-

57. 57
WARNING!!!
If lowering the cot to the lowest position
(position 1), remove your foot from the
base tube or injury could result
-DRAFT-

58. 58
Adjusting the leg rest
The leg rest is adjustable to allow for elevation of
the patient’s legs
TO RAISE THE LEG REST
 Lift the leg rest frame as high as possible
 The support bracket will engage automatically
 Release the frame after the support bracket has engaged
TO LOWER THE LEG REST
 Lift the leg rest frame
 While holding the frame, lift up on the release handle until
the bracket disengages
 Lower the leg rest until flat
-DRAFT-

59. 59
Operating the Backrest
To raise
 Squeeze handle for pneumatic assist in lifting the
backrest to the desired height
 Remove hand(s) from handle when desired height
is achieved
To lower
 Squeeze handle and push down on the backrest
frame until the backrest has reached the desired
height
 Remove hand(s) from handle when desired height
is achieved.
-DRAFT-

60. 60
Operating the side rails
To Raise
 Lift up until the latch clicks and the side rail locks
into place
 When a patient is on the cot, always keep the side
rails in the raised position unless the patient is
being transferred
To lower
 Squeeze handle to release the side rail latch
 Guide the side rail down toward the foot end until
flat
-DRAFT-

61. 61
WARNING!!!!!
Side rails are not intended to serve as a
patient restraint device.
-DRAFT-

62. 62
The head end of the cot litter folds
down to shorten the length of the cot
“The Breakaway head section” to allow
for maneuvering when space is limited
in elevators, halls, etc.
The breakaway head section should
only be used when the cot is in
positions 5-7
Operating the Breakaway Head
Section
-DRAFT-

63. 63
Lowering the breakaway head
section
Procedure
 Raise the backrest to its uppermost
position
 Squeeze the release bar at the head end
of the cot with one hand while supporting
the head section with the other hand
 Lower the breakaway head section
-DRAFT-

64. 64
To raise the breakaway head
section
Procedure
 Lift the breakaway head section until the
release bar clicks and the head section
locks into place
CAUTION
 Damage to the cot can occur if the cot is
lowered in the shortened position.
 Use only positions 5-7 when it is shortened
-DRAFT-

65. 65
Operating the three stage IV
Pole
Procedure
 Lift and pivot the pole from the storage position
and push down until it is locked into receptacle
 To raise the height of the pole
 Turn the lock actuator counterclockwise and pull up on
the bottom telescoping portion of the pole to raise it to
the desired position
 Turn the lock actuator clockwise to lock the bottom
telescoping portion in place
 For a higher IV pole, pull up on section until the
spring clip engages
 Hang IV bags on the IV hook
-DRAFT-

66. 66
CAUTION!!
The weight of the IV bags or equipment
must not exceed 40 pounds
-DRAFT-

67. 67
Lowering the pole
Procedure
 To lower the IV pole
 Push in on the spring clip and slide section
down into other section
 Turn the lock actuator counterclockwise and
slide section into the bottom tube
 Lift up and pivot the pole down into the storage
position
-DRAFT-

68. Preventative Maintenance
-DRAFT- 68
The manufacturer recommends the
user perform preventative maintenance
inspections at intervals defined in the
manual
The next slide is an example of the
document provided in your manuals

69. -DRAFT- 69

70. User inspection includes
locking device
-DRAFT- 70
The next slide identifies wear in the
locking device

71. -DRAFT- 71
Identified here isIdentified here is
a worn locking devicea worn locking device

72. Combining manufacturer’s
products
-DRAFT- 72
In the next slide you will find
Manufacturer’s position on “Mixed
Components” cot/fastener systems

73. -DRAFT- 73

74. 74
SUMMARY
HEED THE WARNINGS PUT FORTH
IN THIS PRESENTATION!
They will help protect you, your partner,
and your patient from un-necessary
injury
Use a minimum of two trained and
oriented operators at all times when
operating the stretcher
-DRAFT-

75. 75
SUMMARY (continued)
Only operate the stretcher between
positions 2-5
Positions 6 & 7 are for loading only!
Always use all patient restraint straps
NO HOT DROPS!
Any questions, refer them to the training
division
-DRAFT-

76. 76
QUESTIONS????
-DRAFT-