Using A Safe Step Stool In A Hospital

Using a safe and sturdy step stool in a hospital for patients, nurses and doctors has never been a high priority for administrators. It seems that hospitals, like most businesses, are trying to cut costs and the administrators are purchasing the cheapest step stools they can to save a buck. If they could see how dangerous the little chrome medical step stools are for patients to use, perhaps they would invest in a step stool designed to hold a large person safely. Our utmost concern here is the safety of the patients at all times.

Some hospitals and rehab facilities aren’t aware of the patient’s special needs when it comes to finding quality step stools or foot stools. You still see the little chrome step stool in hospitals because they have always used them not because these step stools work. Why? Because the little chrome step stools are cheaper than the 500 pound load rated step stools that patients need.These chrome step stools usually have legs which can make the step stool wobble on uneven surfaces. They also have rubber caps on the legs that wear out over time, allowing the chrome step stool to slide on the slick linoleum floors. The legs also make it possible to get your foot caught under the step, especially if the vision of the person using it is not the best.

If nurses are trying to change a bandage on a wound on a bariatric patient, they need a safe step stool with a large top surface. If a surgeon is trying to reach over a large person on the operating table wouldn’t the doctor be able to perform their surgery best if they are not sliding around on a step stool? If a patient is getting in or out of bed the chrome step stool just isn’t going to work very well if it slides around.

Mobility is a problem for some patients, so a large top area on your step stool to maneuver is a feature you should definitely consider. Take a look at the following tips:

First, make sure that the step stool has a large standing surface so it is easy to see and to stand on or even turn around on, should the situation require it.

Next, make sure that the step stool is rated for 500 pounds, this is very important if your loved one is a bit on the heavy side.

Make sure the base of any step stool is significantly larger than the top of the step stool. This one little detail adds a lot of stability to the step stool.

Legs are bad. If your step stool has legs, they will eventually either bend, break or the rubber pads on the end will wear out, not good because the step stool will wobble or slide.

David C. DuPont has been finding solutions to step stool problems for over 9 years. He has helped people solve their problems by helping them find kitchen step stools, bus step stools, wooden step stools, kids step stools, plastic step stools and step stools for senior citizens and bariatric rehab. To see his step stools or to contact him to find a step stool for yourself, go to www.Shure-Step.com

CLICK HERE to order Shure-Steps