Engineering design and manufacturing company, Illustrious Healthcare Solutions, has partnered with University Hospital Southampton (UHS) to develop a Critical Care Transfer Stack (CCTS) to improve internal transfer of critically ill patients within acute healthcare environments.
The CCTS is a mobile frame which attaches onto a bed to support medical devices such as monitors, ventilators, O2 cylinders and accessories. These devices are mounted to the vertical aspect of the CCTS for visibility during patient transfer. The CCTS also transports cylinder holders, suction units, includes integrated storage areas and, crucially, has an integrated power supply unit.
Illustrious and UHS have developed a life-supporting product which remains robust within a high-stress environment whilst meeting the required complex specifications. It is also suitable for use with many different bed types in a hospital setting.
The two organisations collaborated in co-developing this product in 2021 after the Portsmouth-based engineering company had reached out to the hospital during the first wave of COVID-19, providing chart trolleys for intensive care units.
The project has involved close collaboration between Illustrious engineers and hospital clinical engineering staff on all aspects of development. The product has been tested for effectiveness across the 35 theatres based at Southampton General Hospital, as well as in general, cardiac, paediatric and neuroscience intensive care units, and the emergency department, with extensive feedback contributing to final development.
The CCTS has a medical device classification (Class 1). It is registered with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and is compliant with the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR).
It has an integrated power supply unit with a medical grade isolation transformer developed specifically for the device.
Sean Folan is a healthcare scientist specialising in critical care for more than 15 years in an NHS regional trauma centre and is also co-founder and director of Illustrious Healthcare Solutions.
He says: “From the outset, UHS have shared their vast expertise with us and worked closely alongside our engineering design and development team. It has been a privilege to work with UHS and we are looking forward to sharing the benefits that this product brings with others.”
