Comfortable and easy to use for staff and patients, the design of the porter’s chair aids cleaning after every use.
The problem
Porter’s chairs pose a particular problem because they travel all over the hospital and are used by staff, patients and visitors, yet their design makes thorough cleaning difficult.
The solution
A sturdy, lightweight porter’s chair made up of fewer moving parts than traditional models, making it easy to clean and more hygienic to use.
About the Porter's Chair
Watch this short film to find out more about the Porter's Chair.
How it works
- The chair’s tough metal frame is protected by a smooth, durable plastic body, which is both lightweight and easy to clean.
- Rotationally-moulded plastic creates large, uninterrupted surfaces, reducing external joins which can harbour dirt and bacteria.
- Improvements in the design of the body, footrest, wheels and braking system mean staff and patients no longer have to handle parts of the chair that come into contact with the floor, reducing the risk of spreading dirt. Improved design also makes it easier for patients to get into and out of the chair.
Key features
- IV bag hook
- Adjustable arm rest
- Vertical lift footrest
- Large foot brake
- Integrated storage for personal belongings
- Storage for gas canisters
Designing the Porter's Chair
- A primitive test rig used by the design team to assess the stability of three and four wheel configurations.
- The design team begin work on the final prototype's steel frame.
Design Bugs Out: Challenging the UK’s top designers and manufacturers to help control the risk of Healthcare Associated Infections by making hospital equipment that's easy to clean and easy to use. Read more
We need your views
Feedback is an essential part of the design process so we'd like to know what you think of the prototypes and this project.
Share your thoughts on Design Bugs Out at www.pronurse.co.uk