Stretchers Industries’ Intelligent Care solutions offer advanced isolation systems to combat healthcare-associated infections and enhance hospital preparedness for seasonal and emerging health threats.
With nearly 40 years of experience in the medical devices industry, Stretchers Industries OOD is deeply rooted in the legacy of healthcare innovation. Our origins can be traced back to Novamed, an Italian company founded in 1974 that established itself as a key distributor of hospital supplies. In 2020, Stretchers Industries was founded in Sofia, Bulgaria, leveraging both the expertise gained over decades and the strategic position of this emerging technological hub in Eastern Europe. Today, our focus is on developing advanced medical solutions to address the growing issue of healthcare-associated infections (HCI) in medical environments.
The Challenge of Healthcare-Associated Infections
Healthcare-associated infections (HCI) present a significant burden on healthcare systems globally, and Europe and the UK are no exceptions. It is estimated that between 5-10% of patients in hospitals contract an infection during their stay. These infections are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and extended hospital stays, leading to significant human and economic costs. In fact, HCIs contribute to over 90,000 deaths annually in Europe and impose an estimated €7 billion financial burden on hospitals. The high rate of transmission in healthcare settings highlights the importance of robust infection prevention and control measures, which are essential to reducing the incidence of HCIs and their associated impacts.
HCIs are caused by pathogens transmitted through various routes, including direct contact, airborne particles, and contaminated surfaces. While hospitals strive to maintain high standards of hygiene and sanitation, the presence of vulnerable, immunocompromised patients in these environments creates ideal conditions for the spread of infections. Given the range of pathogens that can be transmitted within hospitals—from bacteria and viruses to fungi—preventive measures must be multi-layered, integrating advanced technologies alongside infection control protocols.
The Importance of Prevention in Healthcare Settings
Prevention of infection transmission is a cornerstone of healthcare safety. The prompt identification and isolation of infected or potentially infected patients can dramatically reduce the likelihood of transmission within a hospital. Infection control protocols are essential but often insufficient on their own. Increasingly, hospitals are turning to advanced technologies that enable them to isolate patients more effectively and create controlled environments to limit pathogen spread.
One such approach is the use of isolation systems, which create physical barriers between infected patients and others in the hospital. Isolation units are designed to contain infectious agents, particularly those transmitted via air or contact. The addition of negative pressure environments helps ensure that contaminated air does not escape into common areas. These measures are critical for managing both common infections and highly transmissible pathogens, including those responsible for seasonal outbreaks or pandemic situations.
Solutions for Epidemic Preparedness
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the critical need for healthcare systems to be prepared for emerging infectious diseases. Hospitals were often overwhelmed by the rapid influx of patients, and many facilities lacked the necessary infrastructure to isolate and treat patients effectively. In the face of such global health emergencies, the importance of rapid deployment isolation systems became apparent. Stretchers Industries’ Intelligent Care line includes advanced isolation solutions designed to be quickly implemented in response to emerging health threats.
Mobile isolation cabins with integrated negative (or positive) pressure capabilities are particularly valuable during epidemics, as they can be rapidly deployed to create controlled treatment areas. These systems can isolate patients with respiratory infections—such as COVID-19, influenza, or tuberculosis—while minimizing the risk of airborne transmission. This capability is essential for containing the spread of infectious diseases during an outbreak and protecting healthcare workers and uninfected patients.
As global health organizations continue to emphasize the likelihood of future pandemics, healthcare systems must be prepared to respond quickly and effectively. By incorporating advanced isolation solutions into their preparedness plans, hospitals can ensure that they are equipped to handle sudden outbreaks without overwhelming existing infrastructure.
Application in Seasonal Epidemics
In addition to their role in preparing for large-scale pandemics, isolation systems play a critical role in managing seasonal epidemics. Every year, hospitals experience a surge in patients suffering from seasonal respiratory infections, such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and norovirus. These infections, though common, can spread rapidly in healthcare environments, particularly when patient volumes are high. During flu season, for example, hospitals frequently reach capacity, increasing the risk of cross-infection among patients and staff.
Isolation units and biocontainment stretchers provide essential barriers to transmission in these high-risk periods. By isolating patients with contagious illnesses, hospitals can prevent the spread of infections to other patients, healthcare workers, and visitors. These systems also reduce the need for permanent isolation wards, offering hospitals a flexible and scalable solution that can be adjusted based on the severity of the seasonal outbreak.
The ability to contain seasonal infections effectively has long-term benefits beyond immediate patient care. By reducing the transmission of illnesses within healthcare settings, hospitals can lower the incidence of secondary infections, shorten hospital stays, and free up critical resources for other patients. Furthermore, the use of these systems can help alleviate the financial burden associated with treating healthcare-associated infections, particularly during peak times when healthcare resources are already stretched thin.
Technological Innovation in Infection Control
Stretchers Industries, through its Intelligent Care brand, is committed to developing infection control solutions. The technologies integrated into these systems are grounded in the principles of biocontainment and patient isolation. Mobile isolation cabins, advanced stretchers, and biocontainment beds are designed to support hospitals in managing both routine care and emergencies involving highly infectious diseases.
Our systems are built with meticulous attention to engineering and safety standards, ensuring they meet the requirements of healthcare environments. For example, our isolation cabins use negative pressure ventilation systems, which prevent the escape of airborne pathogens by maintaining airflow into the cabin rather than out of it. This is crucial for controlling airborne diseases, such as influenza, tuberculosis, and coronaviruses. The modular design of these cabins allows hospitals to rapidly set up temporary isolation areas as needed, enhancing their capacity to respond to infection outbreaks quickly.
The Intelligent Care brand also includes stretchers and biocontainment beds, which are critical for patient transport within and between healthcare facilities. These systems ensure that patients can be safely moved without risking the spread of infection, particularly in cases where immediate isolation is necessary. The design of these solutions prioritizes the safety of both the patient and the healthcare personnel involved in their care.
A Future-Oriented Approach to Healthcare Safety
Infection control is a dynamic field, requiring constant innovation to meet the evolving challenges of healthcare. The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, emerging viral threats, and the persistence of seasonal epidemics highlight the need for healthcare systems to remain vigilant. Stretchers Industries, through its Intelligent Care line, seeks to provide healthcare facilities with the tools they need to enhance infection prevention and control.
Our vision is to support healthcare professionals in creating environments that prioritize safety and containment, ensuring that hospitals can offer high-quality care without compromising the health of patients or staff. In a world where the threat of pandemics and seasonal outbreaks looms large, the ability to isolate and treat infectious patients effectively is more important than ever. By focusing on infection prevention, healthcare systems can significantly reduce the burden of healthcare-associated infections, improve patient outcomes, and safeguard public health.
As of today, our Intelligent Care solutions are already in use in more than 21 hospitals across Italy and Bulgaria. We remain committed to expanding our reach, continuously refining our technologies, and contributing to a safer and more resilient global healthcare system.
Author
Alessandro Catenazzi
Co-Founder & COO – Stretchers Industries
https://incare.bg/