A Comparison Of The 7 Most Popular Concealment Trolleys In The UK
Concealment trolleys, also referred to as mortuary trolleys, provide a safe, secure, and discrete way of moving a deceased patient to the mortuary with the utmost dignity.
There are several different concealment trolleys on the market, each with different positives and drawbacks, and some with special functions. In this article, we will be comparing the 7 most popular concealment trolleys, to give you a better understanding of the options that are out there and help you make the best decision for your hospital.
Bristol Maid Concealment Trolley
Overview
The Bristol Maid Concealment Trolley is a height-adjustable trolley which ensures the reliable transfer of deceased patients from a bed to the mortuary.
Positives
- The trolley’s scissor action provides vertical lift, ideal for use in confined areas where space is limited.
- The side rails drop down to allow for unobstructed access when transferring the patient on and off the trolley.
- The rollers on the top allow the Bristol Maid trolley to be used with mortuary tray systems.
Drawbacks
- A lack of support for the blue cover means that it can often sag and reveal the cadaver, which is very undignified.
- The outdated design and blue cover can lead to the trolley attracting unnecessary attention, again resulting in dignity after death being reduced.
- The Bristol Maid trolley has no powered drive assistance, which can make transporting difficult, particularly if your mortuary is accessed via slopes or via outdoor paths. Subsequently, there is an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury to porters and mortuary staff.
LEEC Concealment Canopy Trolley
Overview
The LEEC Concealment Canopy Trolley is robustly constructed, yet is compact and can operate in confined spaces.
The trolley is designed with twin pedestal height adjustment, operated via hydraulic foot pedals located on the side, and moves on lockable 6” swivelling hard compound castors; all four castors can be locked by the single foot pedal.
Positives
- The trolley has a roller top frame and is fully compatible with LEEC trays and refrigerated cabinets yet can function with other manufacturer’s products.
- The sophisticated and modern design lends itself to being a more dignified option when compared to traditional blue-cover options.
- The concealment cover frame is droppable for easy access.
Drawbacks
- The LEEC trolley has no powered drive assistance, which can make transporting difficult, particularly if your mortuary is accessed via slopes or via outdoor paths. Subsequently, there is an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury to porters and mortuary staff.
- The small 6″ (152mm) castors could lead to difficulty transporting a loaded trolley over uneven ground or on outdoor paths.
Rose House Concealment Trolley
Overview
Available as both fixed or variable height, the concealment trolleys from Rose House are simple yet reliable trolleys for transporting deceased patients in hospitals and nursing homes.
Positives
- The simplistic nature of the trolleys and lack of any electronic or hydraulic components means that there is less chance of something breaking or going wrong.
Drawbacks
- The Rose House concealment trolley has no powered drive assistance, which can make transporting difficult, particularly if your mortuary is accessed via slopes or via outdoor paths. Subsequently, there is an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury to porters and mortuary staff.
- The design and aesthetics are very outdated, which could lead to the trolley attracting unnecessary attention from patients and guests when wheeled from the ward to the mortuary.
XCcube Concealment Cover
Overview
The XCcube concealment cover is different to the other options in this article, due to the fact that it’s actually not a trolley in itself, but a frame and cover that is fitted over the deceased patient’s bed.
Positives
- Eliminates the need to transfer from a bed to a mortuary trolley, reducing handling and risks of marking
- Expands across three dimensions and can be adapted to fit any size bed or trolley, ranging from paediatric to bariatric
- A simple lightweight system weighing only 4.5kg
Drawbacks
- A hospital bed is typically much larger and heavier than a trolley, and as a result, transporting a deceased patient on a bed with the XCcube isn’t as discreet or dignified as using a dedicated trolley.
- Similarly, the size of the hospital bed with XCcube fitted may be too large for transporting from a ward into a mortuary, depending on the access to your mortuary.
- The castors on a typical hospital bed are smaller and less durable than those on a trolley, which could lead to difficulty when transporting over rough ground or on outdoor paths, and frequent breakages.
Barber Medical Concealment Trolley
Overview
Available in both fixed or variable heights, the Barber Medical concealment trolleys are basic yet durably constructed trolleys for transporting deceased patients in hospitals.
Positives
- Can be configured with a fixed top or roller top, to accommodate both styles of mortuary trays.
- The simplistic nature of the Barber Medical concealment trolleys and lack of any electronic or hydraulic components means that there is less chance of something breaking or going wrong.
Drawbacks
- The Barber Medical concealment trolley has no powered drive assistance, which can make transporting difficult, particularly if your mortuary is accessed via slopes or via outdoor paths. Subsequently, there is an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury to porters and mortuary staff.
- The design and aesthetics are very outdated, which could lead to the trolley attracting unnecessary attention from patients and guests when wheeled from the ward to the mortuary.
Felgains Stride Pro Concealment Trolley
Overview
The Felgains Stride Pro Concealment Trolley provides dignity for deceased patients during the transfer from a hospital bed to the mortuary.
This mortuary trolley has a modern frame & cover, and a PowerDrive system that allows for the dignified transport of deceased patients whilst reducing the manual effort for porters and mortuary staff.
Positives
- The modern and inconspicuous design of the Stride Pro Concealment Trolley ensures that dignity is maintained after death, for both the patient and any friends or family.
- The PowerDrive system fitted to the trolley greatly reduces the effort needed to move the trolley from the ward to the mortuary, reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injury to porters and mortuary staff.
- The side rails can be dropped down and the bars supporting the cover removed, giving staff the access they need to safely transfer the patient onto the trolley with correct manual handling techniques.
- The cover is fully supported along its length, eliminating any sagging and subsequent revealing of the cadaver, which can often occur with other products.
- Available in a bariatric version, with a safe working load of 500kg and platform width of 1000mm.
Drawbacks
- The Stride Pro Concealment Trolley is one of the more expensive options on this list, so if cost is your primary concern, the Stride may not be suitable for you.
- The Stride Pro Concealment trolley isn’t compatible with mortuary tray systems. Instead, it is designed with a completely flat platform for the patient to be transferred from their bed directly onto the trolley.
Felgains Stride Concealment Trolley
Overview
The Felgains Stride Concealment Trolley is a more economical alternative to the Stride Pro, and while it doesn’t come with a PowerDrive system as standard, the modern design and functionality are maintained.
Positives
- The modern and inconspicuous design of the Stride Concealment Trolley ensures that dignity is maintained after death, for both the patient and any friends or family.
- The side rails can be dropped down and the bars supporting the cover removed, giving staff the access they need to safely transfer the patient onto the trolley with correct manual handling techniques.
- The cover is fully supported along its length, eliminating any sagging and subsequent revealing of the cadaver, which can often occur with other products.
- Available with either hydraulic and electric functionality, and in widths of 650mm or 700mm, to suit the needs of your department and hospital.
- The Stride is an economical option – read more about the price here.
Drawbacks
- The Stride Concealment trolley isn’t compatible with mortuary tray systems. Instead, it is designed with a completely flat platform for the patient to be transferred from their bed directly onto the trolley.
Conclusion
I trust this article has given you a clear understanding of the 7 most popular concealment trolleys, and the positives and drawbacks of each.
Which concealment trolley 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 concealment trolley before purchasing, and we offer this for the Stride Pro Concealment Trolley. To get started, feel free to get in touch on 01473 741144, or via the contact form below.
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