The 60601-2-52 Standard – Does it apply to Patient Stretchers & Trolleys?

What is 60601-2-52?​

60601-2-52 is the standard that applies specifically to medical beds and addresses health hazards for manufacturers to ensure their equipment meets the required safety and performance requirements.​

The standard provides criteria on numerous safety elements and specifies dimensions for manufacturers to comply with, with the intention of:​

• Reducing the risk of entrapment​
• Ensuring lateral stability​
• Stipulating a safe side rail height

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What is the definition of a ‘medical bed’?​

As defined within 60601-2-52 section 201.3.212, a ‘medical bed’ is a “device for which the intended use is sleeping/resting that contains a mattress support platform and intended to assist in diagnosis, monitoring, prevention, treatment, alleviation of disease or compensation for an injury or handicap”.​

Does a hospital stretcher fall into this category, and if so, should 60601-2-52 also apply to stretchers? ​

The standard explicitly states in section 201.3.212 Note 2 that excluded under the definition of ‘medical bed’ are “devices for which the intended use is mainly for examination or transportation under medical supervision (e.g. stretcher, examination table).”​

So why are we now talking about applying 60601-2-52 to patient stretchers and trolleys?​

The industry now more commonly associates 60601-2-52 with patient stretchers as well as beds, which is understandable, due to:​

• A lack of a recognised international standard applying specifically to patient stretchers and trolleys*​
• A recent National Patient Safety Alert (NatPSA/2023/010/MHRA) suggested certain side rail requirements of 60601-2-52 applied to trolleys, as well as beds, in the absence of up-to-date guidance specifically for trolleys.

*British Standard 5402 applies to Patient Trolleys; however, this standard was published in 1976 and is largely regarded as outdated

Our conclusion

Due to the exclusions set out in the 60601-2-52 standard, we can safely say that this standard does not apply to patient stretchers and trolleys.​

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