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A stretcher is a medical transport device used to move a patient who needs to lie down during transfer. It usually has a flat patient surface, a frame, wheels or handles, side rails, brakes, and straps. Stretchers are used in hospitals, ambulances, emergency settings, and medical transport services. They help move patients safely between rooms, departments, vehicles, or care facilities.
read more about stretcher ...A stretcher is used when a patient cannot walk safely, must remain lying down, or needs close monitoring during movement. It may be used after an injury, during emergency response, before or after surgery, or while transferring a patient for imaging or treatment. In ambulances, stretchers help secure the patient during transport. In hospitals, they help staff move patients between care areas without unnecessary lifting.
Ambulance stretchers are designed to lock into emergency vehicles and often have adjustable heights. Hospital transport stretchers are used for movement within a facility and may include side rails, brakes, oxygen holders, IV poles, or adjustable backrests. Scoop stretchers can separate into two sides to help lift certain injured patients with less movement. Basket stretchers are used in rescue settings where terrain or access makes standard wheeled transport difficult.
Staff first assess the patient, the route, and the transfer method before moving the patient onto the stretcher. The wheels are locked during transfers, and side rails or straps are used when appropriate to reduce fall risk. During transport, staff guide the stretcher carefully and watch the patient’s position, lines, tubes, and monitors. At the destination, the stretcher is locked again before the patient is moved or care continues.
Safe stretcher use depends on correct locking, weight capacity, patient positioning, and trained handling. Brakes, side rails, straps, and docking systems should be checked before and during transport. Staff also need proper body mechanics to reduce lifting injuries. A patient who feels dizzy, unstable, short of breath, or in pain during movement should alert the care team right away.
No. A stretcher is mainly designed for transport and short-term positioning, while a hospital bed is designed for longer stays, treatment, and recovery.
The terms are often used interchangeably. In many settings, gurney refers to a wheeled stretcher used for patient transport.
Straps may be used when needed for safety, especially during ambulance transport or when a patient is at risk of falling. Staff should use them appropriately and explain why they are needed.
Standard wheeled stretchers are not ideal for stairs. Emergency teams may use stair chairs, rescue stretchers, or other equipment made for tight spaces or uneven access.
21 CFR 880.6910 -- Wheeled stretcher. eCFR (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-880/subpart-G/section-880.6910. Date Accessed June 15, 2026.
Product Classification: Stretcher, Patient Restraint. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpcd/classification.cfm?id=NZD. Date Accessed June 15, 2026.
Stretcher, foldable. WHO MEDEVIS. https://medevis.who-healthtechnologies.org/devices/RMN_177. Date Accessed June 15, 2026.
Healthcare - Safe Patient Handling. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. https://www.osha.gov/healthcare/safe-patient-handling. Date Accessed June 15, 2026.
Emergency Medical Services Clinician Injury Data. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ems/data/index.html. Date Accessed June 15, 2026.