WINNER OF THE 2020 INNOVATION PRIZE FOR ERGONOMICS

03.09.2020

PATIENT COMFORT AND OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY UNDER THE BANNER OF ERGONOMICS RELIEVE THE BURDEN ON NURSING STAFF. „WE DESIGN QUALITY.“ – GREINER SITTING, LYING AND TREATMENT COMFORT IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF CARE AND HELPS PROVIDING HEALING SUCCESS. AT GREINER, ERGONOMICS IS MORE THAN JUST A BUZZ WORD. IT IS LIVED CULTURE.

ERGONOMICS IS A SUBJECT THAT TRADITIONALLY HAS A FUNDAMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE AT GREINER IN PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, DESIGN AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT. THE 2020 INNOVATION AWARD FROM THE „INSTITUT FÜR GESUNDHEIT UND ERGONOMIE“ (IGR) NOW CONFIRMS GREINER MEDBEST'S CONSISTENT COMMITMENT IN THIS FIELD.

 

ERGONOMICS for medical chairs

In principle, the ergonomics of medical devices primarily serve to protect the health and safety of nursing staff as well as to protect the patient. This risk management should help avoid mistakes and, at the same time, act preventively against long-term or consequential damage. The literature on this is varied and is also described in quality management. So far, so good. For a brand manufacturer like GREINER, an orientation based on these specifications would not be enough.

The aspiration goes much further: GREINER develops and produces product and brand experiences that are characterised by patient comfort, user-friendliness, efficiency and time savings in everyday therapy and care, noticeable ease of use and optimal hygiene conditions. Innovative in ergonomics.

 

ERGONOMICS EXTENDS ACROSS THE WHOLE PRODUCT RANGE

Ergonomics is seen in the details. Using a few examples from the GREINER medbest product range, you will find an overview here of what is important and what constitutes the innovative added value of these branded products. Starting with the simple, safe and efficient operation of the motor-adjustable dialysis chairs, to the great importance of the armrests for patient comfort and ergonomic blood withdrawal, to the helpful use of directional castors. And as the latest example with effect for the future: a look into the digital world with the intuitive operation of the touchscreen of the SMT SMART MEDIATABLE.

MULTILINE NEXT DC

Patient comfort as a yardstick for dialysis chairs has become significantly more relevant. On the one hand, the treatment chair has the task of improving patient compliance by providing a gentle sitting or lying position. On the other hand, on the care side, high standards are applied to treatment support, ergonomics, and the minimisation of costs and time spent on the hygiene.

With the MULTILINE NEXT DC, a new generation of chairs has established itself in dialysis centres. Patient comfort, ergonomics and efficiency characterise the value of these chairs, whose performance features lift dialysis that lasts for hours to a more pleasant and therefore more treatment-appropriate level. The progress can be felt and is reflected in the new premium cover material with an extra-soft, hard-wearing surface, supported in the seat part by an elastic and dynamic spring system that supports normal freedom of movement of the spine, pelvis and hips, and thus offers patients pleasant pressure relief. The sitting and lying position itself is based on infinitely variable motorised movement sequences that can be easily and safely controlled by hand. This chair is available with three, four or five motors and the appropriate control elements, in each case.

 

Setting the best sitting and lying position – right up to the Trendelenburg position in an emergency – is achieved with precision by gently pressing a button. Understandable icons and graphics support understanding and prevent errors. Memory and emergency buttons help nursing staff to return to the desired starting position or the required emergency position with just one push of a button. Of course, an emergency foot switch supports the process. Operation can also be secured or locked using a magnetic key.

 

PATENTED 5-POINT ARMRESTS

Especially in dialysis involving a shunt puncture over many hours, a good level of ergonomics for the armrests is important. Both in terms of comfort while sitting and lying and in terms of access for the team. GREINER has developed a milestone here: the innovative 5-point armrests set standards in therapy, because, for the first time, they can be moved in 5 directions – perfect for patients. This Europe-wide patented development allows not only folding up but also patient-specific positioning in terms of inclination, height, angle and torso width.

Volker Weber, head of development and design at GREINER, sees a key advance in the construction of the armrest, in particular: "Where patients can hardly find any support on conventional couches or in hospital beds, have to slide back and forth and move their arm. So, where nurses spend unnecessary time on the vascular puncture, the 5-point armrest manages to improve ergonomics in a pleasant and time-saving manner."

   

  

 

MULTILINE BPS – ARMRESTS FOR PLASMA DONATION

As a mechanical chair variant, the MULTILINE BPS shows that functional ergonomic solutions are also available at a perfect price-performance ratio. The comfort armrests made of integral foam form a large trough and can be directionally adjusted all around and by an inclination of up to 35°. In the sitting position, they can be swivelled backwards, which makes it easier to get in and allows the patient to access the chair without hassle.

SWIVEL CASTORS WITH DIRECTIONAL STABILITY – THE DIRECTION IS ALWAYS RIGHT.

While they may at first glance seem like no more than a stylish touch, the twin-wheel swivel castors from GREINER, with their ergonomic locking system, play a central role in providing direction the moment they are put to use. MULTILINE NEXT therapy chairs with central locking can be fitted with special swivel castors for directional or straight-ahead travel. The basis of this system is 10 cm twin-wheel swivel castors with a 3-way ergonomic locking system that is operated via a convenient foot pedal: brakes locked, brakes released, directional or straight-ahead travel. These castors improve the patient's transport experience, as well as making it easier for nursing staff to push and steer the chair, particularly when longer journeys between individual wards are required, or when narrow corridors or rooms make navigation and movement more difficult.

So the direction is always right. The swivel castors are just one prime example of the GREINER brand promise: "We design quality."

 

SMT SMART MEDIATABLE. DIGITAL COMMUNICATION, SIMPLY INTUITIVE.

State-of-the-art medical care and digital solutions belong together today. With the new SMT, GREINER connects patients with the digital world during treatments. And it does so quite simply via apps, like on a smartphone.

Patients get access to new communication channels and multimedia content. Streaming via Netflix, Sky or Spotify, social media applications such as Facebook and Instagram, or any web services – the SMT SMART MEDIATABLE creates communication options like at home. On demand and in plug & play mode.

  • Smart communication and entertainment for patients – as intuitive as on a smartphone
  • Fully-fledged side table and digital communication platform in one
  • Mobile touchscreen for patients with intuitive user control – flexible, hygienic and safe. Immediately understandable – very easy to use.
  • The integrated safety height lift in the SMT cart also allows for the shock position in an emergency.
  • Only 2 operating levers for any desired position in terms of height and inclination – easily at hand for the care team and patients.

The examples presented here are just an excerpt of ergonomic solutions that are innovations that improve the world of work in healthcare today. It is our constant challenge to continuously set standards here with new ideas. The 2020 Ergonomics Innovation Award is not only a confirmation of our work, but also a great motivation to set standards in the years to come. Many thanks to the IGR jury for this award for GREINER. Discover possible improvements for your treatment conditions on the GREINER website and from your specialist dealer.