APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING HEALTH CARE PATIENTS

摘要

13 An apparatus and a method for transporting a health care patient is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a wheeled undercarriage having a base and a load bearing surface located above the base. A health care patient conveyance such as an infant transport incubator or a stretcher is removably affixed to the load bearing surface. The base of the wheeled undercarriage is provided with an electric winch that is connected to a rechargeable storage battery for providing drive power. Controls associated with the wheeled undercarriage permit an operator to selectively operate the winch in either direction of rotation so that the apparatus can be towed onto or off from an ambulance or the like. The apparatus can also be used for retrieving accident victims frominaccessible places such as the steep incline of a road embankment. The advantage is that arduous lifting is eliminated and patient security is enhanced.