STORAGE SYSTEMS
Maximise your floor space to maximise your efficiency
Rachael Pickering, head of Operations at Medescon, discusses the benefits to hospitals of vertical bed storage systems – particularly in freeing up valuable floor space and reducing clutter, as well as keeping fire escape routes and walkways free of obstruction, and helping safeguard porters and other staff against strains, sprains, and musculoskeletal injuries.
Hospital bed storage is a significant challenge for healthcare facilities all over the world, but especially in the UK, and most commonly in city hospitals, where space is very limited. Lack of storage space impacts the efficiency and safety of patient care and the efficient running of a busy hospital. With beds being heavy and cumbersome items to handle and stow, they are usually stored side by side in any available space, typically in spaces such as along corridors and in unused rooms. The problem with traditional side-by- side bed storage is that it tends to take up a substantial amount of room, limiting the available floor space for other essential equipment and activities. This scarcity of space can hinder the flow of healthcare professionals, and potentially affect patient outcomes, as well as posing health, safety, and fire risks to staff, patients, and visitors, along with risk of damage to the beds themselves, which are susceptible to accidental collisions with walls, equipment, or other beds, causing scratches and dents to expensive hospital assets. Such damage not only compromises the appearance and functionality of the beds, but also poses potential safety risks for patients.
Benefits of a vertical storage system To address these issues, the implementation of a vertical storage solution can revolutionise hospital bed management, promoting streamlined processes and improved safety standards. In today’s healthcare landscape, optimising space within hospitals is crucial. Estates and facilities managers in the NHS are consistently searching for innovative ways to maximise floor space without compromising patient care. By switching to a vertical storage method, hospitals can free up valuable floor space for other necessary purposes, such as equipment storage, medical supplies, the installation of additional healthcare services, and simply keeping fire routes and walkways free of obstruction. In the fast-paced and demanding
Vidir side-load four bed-high bedlift stackers securely holding four hospital beds in the space of just over one, utilising and optimising the available space with this narrow room at West Suffolk Hospital.
environment of the NHS, porters play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of hospitals. However, their work comes with significant risks – especially when it comes to manual handling accidents, affecting their physical health and overall wellbeing. The transportation and storage of hospital beds, often done manually, can strain the muscles and joints of porters, leading to injuries such as sprains, strains, and musculoskeletal disorders. The heavy weight and awkward dimensions of hospital beds further increase the likelihood of accidents, highlighting the need for effective risk management strategies.
Insufficient time management also
exacerbates the risk of manual handling accidents among NHS porters, who – faced with tight schedules and high workloads – may feel pressured to rush, bypassing proper lifting techniques, and neglecting necessary precautions. This hurried approach not only compromises their safety, but also the quality of patient care. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive examination of workflow processes, allocation of adequate time for tasks, and the prioritisation of both staff wellbeing and patient needs.
Accessing and manoeuvring beds safely Porters often face challenges in accessing and manoeuvring beds safely and swiftly around hospital premises. Obstacles such as medical equipment, wheelchairs, catering, and laundry and waste trolleys, can delay bed deliveries, disrupt patient transfers, and negatively impact the overall workflow of the healthcare facility. A vertical storage solution that works hydraulically reduces manual handling
risks, and minimises the challenge of delays and patient transfers by providing easy access and facilitating smoother movement of beds within the hospital, as well as significantly improving the efficiency of porter staff. One of the key benefits of adopting
a vertical storage solution for hospital beds is the maximisation of floor space. By utilising the vertical storage system, hospitals can effectively free up valuable floor space that can be repurposed for other essential functions. In a busy hospital environment, floor space is a precious commodity. Vertical storage solutions offer an innovative approach to address this challenge – for example the space freed up can allow for the installation of additional medical equipment, such as diagnostic machines or treatment devices, which can enhance the hospital’s capabilities and improve patient care. Moreover, maximising floor space
using vertical storage solutions creates more accessible pathways for patients and staff. It eliminates clutter and congestion, making it easier for healthcare professionals to navigate through the hospital, and attend to patients promptly. This improved accessibility can contribute
October 2023 Health Estate Journal 71
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