subject: Stackable Transport Chairs Save Space And Maintenance [print this page] Stackable transport chairs are the latest innovation in wheelchair design for institutional use. Unlike standard wheelchairs, stackable transport chairs use a non-folding, monolithic frame design which can be nested for storage. Nested storage requires as little as 30% of the space needed for storage of standard transport chairs, leaving doors and hallways clear. Additionally, like luggage carts, stackable transport chairs can be slotted into a coin or credit-card operated mechanism for easy self-service by mobility-impaired customers or patients.
With a greater weight capacity and more ergonomically correct, upright position, stackable transport chairs are both more comfortable for patients than standard wheelchairs and have significantly lower maintenance costs. Nesting transport chairs do not fold. Consequently, there are no joints or junctions with the associated potential for metal fatigue. Fewer moving parts mean fewer parts to wear out and need replacement.
In an institutional setting, self-powered wheelchairs are not just unnecessary, they are a potential liability. Hospitals provide attended transportation to ensure that patients do not injure themselves when they are in the facility for treatment. Providing stackable transport chairs which, by design, cannot be self-propelled, removes the possibility that a patient will attempt to move the wheelchair by themselves.
While no product is completely theft-proof, stackable transport chairs are certainly more theft-resistant than standard wheelchairs. Features such as a no-fold design foil the easy shrinkage caused by folding chairs being casually tossed into a car trunk. Additional features, such as unique, registered serial numbers can further limit resale value of an institutional transport chair. The potential thief will hesitate to abscond with an item which can be easily traced back to its rightful owner. A stackable transport chair, which is inherently designed for institutional use, has little resale value on the "gray" market.
Unlike standard wheelchairs, stackable transport chairs may be used both indoors and outdoors. Without complex parts and folding joints, tubular steel construction and powder-coat finish means that transport chairs will continue to be serviceable even if it is exposed to the elements.
A simpler design also means lower maintenance costs. Standard wheelchairs are intended for everyday use by a single individual. In an institutional setting, such as a hospital or airport, a wheelchair may be in constant use by many patrons. Excess wear and tear on expensive equipment means increased cost to the institution. Worn parts and joints must be replaced or they may present a safety hazard. Broken wheelchairs may need to be completely replaced. Average service life of a standard wheelchair can be less than a single year. On the other hand, stackable transport chairs are rugged, non-folding, and require very little maintenance. Rather than replacing worn chairs every year, as has typically been the case, purpose-built transport chairs will last three years or longer without needing to be replaced.
By simplifying design and using purpose-built, stackable transport chairs, hospitals and other institutions can save both space and maintenance costs. Ultimately, lower maintenance costs will have a positive impact on the bottom line - - and in today's economy, every penny counts.
