March 11, 2025 | Terry Smith

Arjo Lifeguard 50 Stretcher vs PatientFlow Stretcher; an honest comparison

There are a large number of patient stretchers on the market, each with various positives and drawbacks, and some with special functions. Subsequently, choosing the correct patient stretcher for your hospital can be a daunting and time-consuming task. 

The purpose of this article is to compare a commonly found stretcher in the UK; the Arjo Lifeguard 50 Stretcher, with the PatientFlow Stretcher, covering the key features, positives, and drawbacks of each, to make your decision-making process easier and enabling you to make the best decision for your hospital. 

Key features comparison table

 

PatientFlow

 Arjo Lifeguard
Safe Working Load 320kg 250kg
Lowest Height (mm) 560 550
Highest Height (mm) 850 930
Patient Surface Size (mm) 650 x 1950 670 x 1950
X-ray version available? Yes Yes
Fifth wheel mobility? Yes Yes
Power-drive system available? Yes No
60601-2-52 compliant side rails? Yes No
Electric functionality available? Yes No

 

What is the Arjo Lifeguard 50 Stretcher?

The Arjo Lifeguard 50 Stretcher is a trolley designed to cope with the rigours and demands of an emergency department.

Arjo Lifeguard 50 – Key Features and Specifications

  • Weight capacity: 250kg
  • Fifth-wheel functionality
  • Central braking mechanism
  • Hydraulic functionality

Positives

  • 5th wheel steering – This makes the stretcher easier for staff to push and more manoeuvrable in busy hospital environments. 
  • Easy braking – Releasing or activating the brakes by pushing the foot lever down with clear visibility on the brakes supports ergonomic working. 
  • Ergonomic to use – Dual-sided foot pedals and ergonomic push handles make the Lifeguard easy for staff to use.
  • Higher maximum height compared to the PatientFlow – The Lifeguard Stretcher has a very high maximum height of 930mm, which makes it easier for taller staff to use.

Drawbacks

  • Low safe working load – The Lifeguard’s lower safe working load of 250kg may restrict which patients can use the stretcher.
  • Not ISO 60601-2-52 compliant – The Arjo Lifeguard 50’s side rails are not compliant with ISO 60601-2-52, which may cause issues if your Trust is seeking to comply with recent guidance around side rail safety.
  • No powered drive assist available

 

What is the Felgains PatientFlow Stretcher?

 

The PatientFlow is a hospital stretcher for emergency departments and any areas in hospitals where patients are transported. This A&E trolley is lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, yet robustly built to withstand heavy use all day, every day. 

Key Features and Specifications

  • Safe Working Load: 320kg
  • Max patient weight: 260kg
  • Dual-purpose IV pole
  • Fold-down side rails
  • Retractable 5th wheel
  • Available in both hydraulic and hybrid electric versions
  • Powered drive assist version available
  • Central-locking braking

Positives

  • Lightweight – The PatientFlow is lightweight compared to other patient stretchers on the market, which can make a big difference when the stretcher has to be used all day, every day, in busy ED departments. 
  • 5th wheel – The 5th wheel under the centre of the trolley means that the PatientFlow is very manoeuvrable – especially important in crowded emergency departments. Powered drive assist is also available.
  • Higher safe working load – The PatientFlow has a high safe working load of 320kg, meaning you can use it with most of your patients. 
  • Robust and flexible – the PatientFlow has heavy-duty IV poles that double up as push handles, giving you options on pushing positions for excellent ergonomics
  • Available with hydraulic or electric functionality; the electric version allows for smooth movements across all functions, whilst the hydraulic version guarantees reliability in every scenario.
  • ISO 60601-2-52 compliance available – Optional 60601-2-52 side rails are available for the PatientFlow, enabling your Trust to meet the latest guidance.

Drawbacks

  • Lower maximum height, compared to the Arjo Lifeguard 50. This could lead to taller staff members having difficulty operating the stretcher at the optimum height for safe manual handling. 

Click here to learn more about the PatientFlow stretcher 🡥

 

Which stretcher should you choose for your hospital?

I trust this article has given you a clear understanding of the Arjo Lifeguard 50 Stretcher and Felgains PatientFlow Stretchers, and the positives and drawbacks of each. 

Which stretcher you choose for your trust will vary depending on your needs and requirements, and we will happily talk this through with you if required.  Often, a hospital would trial a piece of equipment such as a stretcher before purchasing, and we would be happy to arrange this for you. 

To get started, feel free to get in touch on 01473 741144, or via the contact form below. 

 

 

Related articles

How much does the Felgains PatientFlow Hospital ED Trolley cost?

How Much Do Patient Stretchers Cost To Buy?

What are the most common problems with patient stretchers? – with solutions

 

 

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Author

Terry Smith

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