MasterMover launches innovative machine for moving patient beds in hospitals

After more than 12 months of intensive research and development, an innovative machine for moving patient beds in hospitals has been launched, which not only caters for all types of hospital bed, but can also be operated by a single porter.

The new ‘Bed Mover’ from MasterMover Ltd is a compact machine that is specifically designed to manoeuvre patient beds quickly and easily, with little effort required from only a single operator. The machine attaches easily to all bed types, using a unique coupling mechanism that connects the machine to the ors on the bed.

The Bed Mover will improve handling efficiencies significantly across the NHS. Up to now, hospitals have needed at least two porters to move a patient bed. In addition, because most hospitals possess a mix of different bed types, other bed handling devices have been difficult to work with.

British-designed and manufactured, the Bed Mover has standard, ergonomic controls and safety features, making it ideal for healthcare environments. The machine is small enough to fit easily into hospital lifts and to manoeuvre in tight spaces. The machine is also capable of moving bariatric patients.

Anthony Brown, Healthcare Account Manager at MasterMover Ltd comments: "There is no other machine out there that can cater for all bed types or that enables a porter to move the bed on his or her own. The Bed Mover is also unique in terms of its carrying capacity and in the way it connects to the bed."

According to Brown, the Bed Mover went through several design iterations before being finalised. "The real challenge for MasterMover was designing a coupling or method of connection that would cater for all bed types. Rather than couple to the headboard or framework of the bed, the design team agreed on a novel trapdoor mechanism where the operator would pull the bed’s ors onto a multi-positional wheel lock, located on each side of the machine. As the wheel raises up, the bed ors drop into the trapdoor where they are effectively held in place. The porter then simply pushes a button on the machine which raises the ors off the ground, giving us far more control over the bed during movement."

The Bed Mover is easy to clean or wipe down, supporting infection control. The machine is finished in a white, anti-microbial paint and the coupling wheel lock has a special polymer coat for durability.

The machine attaches to the top or bottom of the bed and can be manoeuvred and controlled from the opposite end of the bed using a joystick. The Bed Mover benefits from a range of safety features, including power-steering, auto-braking, emergency stop and variable speed control. The AC motors on the machine also ensure quiet operation and improved control.

As well as patient beds, the Bed Mover can also handle transfer chairs, which are used to move patients to different wards within a hospital.

The Bed Mover is not simply an excellent machine, it is also backed up by first class service and support. MasterMover Ltd has a network of regional service engineers that are always on-hand ready to visit customer sites if a problem occurs on a machine or if the customer requires extra training.