An Ergonomic Design of Wheelchair Bed Transfer for Post Stroke Patients

Abstract

This paper aims to redesign the existing hospital bed in the Philippines by developing a wheelchair bed for bed transfer of patients with Cerebro Vascular Disease. According to National Statistics Office (NSO), Cerebro Vascular Disease, popularly known as "stroke" ranked fourth in the top ten causes of death in the Philippines (PSA, 2016). Because of this, the researchers come up with the study of developing an assistive device for both patients and nurses who handle and facilitate this type of patients. The study focuses only on post- stroke patients who are in recovery and rehabilitation stage which are called "post-stroke patients". The disability of post-stroke patients causes them to be dependent on their nurses or caregivers. According to studies, nurses and caregivers are exposed to risk of musculoskeletal disorders due to manual lifting and handling of patients especially during bed transfer. Data shows that 78% of nurses and caregivers experience pain and discomfort in their back and upper extremities due to manual lifting and poor working posture when handling patients. For these reason, it became the interest of the researchers to redesign a wheelchair bed for bed transfer of post stroke patients in order to reduce the risk of nurses and caregivers to develop musculoskeletal disorders. Principles of ergonomics are used to come up with the dimensions of the proposed product based on the anthropometric measurements of the target users. Value analysis and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) tool are also used to identify the technicalities of the product based from the users' requirements. Using all these tools, the researchers came up with the proposed product design of the wheelchair bed. The proposed design includes elevating bed frame into the medically required angles of elevation while the patient is at bed in three different positions. It has also a collapsible and extending bed rail, foot board with foot plate that serves as the foot rest of the patient with slimmer and more comfortable mattress material. In the ergonomic design of wheelchair bed, factors such as safety, convenience and comfortability of users were considered. The researchers have conducted review of related literature, direct observation, surveys, actual measurements and statistical analyses in order to describe factually and accurately the proposed design of wheelchair beds.