January 20, 2025 | Terry Smith

Felgains MultiFlow Low Stretcher vs Howard Wright M9 Trauma Stretcher; How do they compare?

The purpose of this article is to compare one of the most well-known low stretchers on the market; the Howard Wright M9 Stretcher, with the new Felgains MultiFlow Low stretcher, covering the key features, positives, and drawbacks of each, to make your decision-making process easier and to enable you to make the best decision for your hospital. 

Key features comparison table

 

Felgains MultiFlow

 Howard Wright M9 Trauma
Safe Working Load 270kg 250kg
Lowest Height (mm) 420 430
Highest Height (mm) 820 800
Warranty 2 years 2 years
Fifth wheel? Yes Yes
X-Ray tunnel? Yes Yes
ISO 60601-2-52 Compliant Side Rails? Yes Yes

 

What is the Howard Wright M9 Trauma Stretcher?

The Howard Wright M9 Stretcher is designed to reduce manual handling and provide a safe platform for patient mobility and emergency care. 

Key Features and Specifications

  • Fully electric, with battery backup
  • 350mm low height and 800mm high height
  • 250kg Safe Working Load
  • Permanently attached, fold down IV pole
  • Central locking brakes with 5th-wheel steering

Positives

  • 5th wheel steering – The 5th wheel under the centre of the M9 stretcher ensures maximum manoeuvrability and easy guidance; especially useful in busy and crowded emergency environments. 
  • Low mattress platform height – The M9 has a low minimum height of 430mm, which reduces the risk of falls and helps to enable easier mobilisation in hospitals. 
  • Fully X-ray compatible – Radiolucent mattress platform and a full-length X-ray tunnel for unrestricted imaging.
  • 60601-2-52 compliant – The M9’s side rails are fully compliant with the ISO 60601-2-52 standard, helping your Trust meet the most recent health and safety guidelines.
  • Full electric functionality – To reduce manual handling and provide a comfortable experience for patients.

Drawbacks

  • Higher minimum height, compared to the MultiFlow – The M9 has a higher minimum height than the MultiFlow stretcher, which can lead to shorter patients finding it harder to mobilise off the stretcher, which also increases the risk of falls. 
  • Lower maximum height, compared to the MultiFlow – Again, the reduced height range of the M9 may cause staff discomfort when caring for patients.
  • Lower safe working load – The safe working load of 250kg may restrict which patients can use the M9 Trauma stretcher.

 

What is the Felgains MultiFlow Stretcher?

The new MultiFlow Low X-Ray Stretcher from Felgains combines an industry-leading minimum platform height of 420mm with a full X-Ray tunnel to bring a new standard of patient safety to your emergency department.

Key Features and Specifications

  • Safe Working Load: 270kg
  • Class-leading 420mm minimum platform height
  • Full-length X-Ray tunnel
  • Folding IV Pole
  • Retractable 5th wheel
  • Central-locking braking

Positives

  • Ultra-low mattress platform height – The industry-leading low height of 430mm reduces the risk of falls and fall-related injury in your emergency department and also promotes easier mobilisation and discharge, increasing patient flow through your hospital. 
  • Fully X-ray compatible – Radiolucent mattress platform and a full-length X-ray tunnel for unrestricted imaging.
  • 60601-2-52 compliant – The MultiFlow’s side rails are fully compliant with the ISO 60601-2-52 standard, helping your Trust meet the most recent health and safety guidelines. 
  • 5th wheel – The 5th wheel under the centre of the trolley means that the MultiFlow is very manoeuvrable – especially important in crowded emergency departments. 
  • Robust and flexible – The MultiFlow has heavy-duty IV poles that double up as push handles, giving you options for excellent ergonomics when pushing the trolley.

Drawbacks

  • Not suitable for bariatric patients over 270kg. As with the Howard Wright M9, the safe working load of 270kg means the MultiFlow isn’t suitable for use with bariatric patients.

Click here to learn more about the MultiFlow stretcher 🡥

 

 

Which stretcher should you choose for your hospital?

I trust this article has given you a clear understanding of the two patient stretchers from Howard Wright and Felgains, 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

Pressure injury in emergency departments | The problem, statistics, and solutions

How does the MultiFlow Stretcher help prevent pressure injury in emergency departments?

How does the Felgains MultiFlow Low-Height Stretcher improve efficiency in emergency departments?

 

 

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Got a question or want to send us a message? Let’s talk.

 

Author

Terry Smith

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