Two standards have recently been published on patient handling equipment used in ambulances, developed by CEN/TC 239 ‘Rescue Systems’. EN 1865-2:2024 improves the performance of power assisted stretchers while EN 1865-6:2024 specifies requirements for powered chairs. These standards address safety and performance gaps, helping to protect both patients and caregivers.
EN 1865-2:2024 for safer power assisted stretchers
EN 1865-2:2024 ’Patient handling equipment used in ambulances – Part 2: Power assisted stretcher’ specifies minimum requirements for the design and performance of power assisted stretchers used in road ambulances for the treatment and transportation of patients. It aims to ensure patient safety and minimize the physical effort required by staff operating the equipment.
EN 1865-2 raises the bar of safety and performance requirements for power assisted ambulance stretchers. The main changes include:
- increased requirement for minimum loading capacity and
- updated normative references and test methods.
EN 1865-6:2024 for safer power assisted chairs
EN 1865-6:2024 ‘Patient handling equipment used in ambulances – Part 6: Powered chairs’ specifies the minimum requirements for the design and performance of power assisted chairs, which are used for the conveyance of patients to and/or from road ambulances. It aims to ensure patient safety and to minimize the physical effort required by staff operating the equipment.
EN 1865-6:2024 is a brand new standard and defines the minimum safety and performance requirements for power assisted stair chairs, which had been on the market for years.
Why these standards matter
EN 1865-2:2024 and EN 1865-6:2024 are both important so that public and private healthcare officials can trust a common standard of safety and performance. These standards keep manufacturers innovating by limiting weight and demanding strength. In addition, the minimum requirements help drive patient and caregiver safety, aiming to reduce lifting injuries and improve vehicle accident performance.
Benefits for industry and society
Both standards set the minimum when it comes to safety and performance in emergency care medical services. These standards allow caregivers to spend more time investing in training and their patients, instead of having to research and demand the same performance directly from manufacturers.
When bidding for tenders, both standards are often required by public and private healthcare providers. In some countries, it is law that the adopted standards be required in tenders.
Reducing lifting injuries for caregivers and increasing safety in ambulances
EN 1865-2:2024 and EN 1865-6:2024 both standardize power assisted products. While this means that the products do more for patients and users (stretchers lift at the press of a button, chairs climb and descend stairs at the press of a button), they are heavier than the non-powered options. EN 1865-2 sets the minimum that a stretcher must lift, as well as the maximum that it can weigh. So, when caregivers feel the extra weight of motors and batteries, it is only the minimum weight required to still have a reduction in lifting.
Ambulance accidents are not an ‘if they happen’ event, they are a ‘when they happen’ event. EN 1865-2 requires that the stretcher and patient be dynamic crash tested to EN 1789 ‘Road Ambulances’. So, in the unfortunate event that an ambulance is involved in an accident, both patient and caregiver are safer with a reduction in projectiles and limitation of movement.
Both standards were developed by TC 239 ‘Rescue Systems’. TC 239 is a technical body of the CEN Healthcare Sector. It defines standards for emergency for emergency medical vehicles and the equipment thereof, as well as for first aid equipment, in the interest of providing safe and comfortable transport and preclinical treatment for patients.
