IMEC Transport System from TRUMPF Medical Systems Undergoes Practical Testing

The IMEC (Interdisciplinary Medical Equipment Carrier) transport system makes intensive care transport considerably safer and saves up to 40 percent in pre-op and post-op time. This is according to the record from the 20SGL intensive care unit at the Nuremberg Hospital North, Germany, that has used and tested the product from TRUMPF Kreuzer Medical Systems for about a year.

“The costs for the new system have amortized alone because it has helped avert equipment crashes and prevent transport damage that would have developed within just two to three years,” said Markus Ziegler, Deputy Manager of the intensive care unit, who is also responsible for product tests of new medical devices. “For pre-op and post-op transport, we currently require only about 40 to 50 minutes instead of 70 – thus saving about 40 percent in time in the pre-op and post-op phase as well as during other relocation transports. Overall, the intensive care station documented 31,700 transport minutes in 2005 – initial savings through IMEC included.

Doctors and nursing staff at the Nuremberg intensive care unit are not only pilot users of IMEC, they are also contributors to the current quality and functionality of the transport system. The Puchheim manufacturer customized it in close collaboration with its users and in accordance to their requirements. Since October 2005, the intensive care unit has been using two IMEC solo transport units for transporting all equipment dependent patients from the intensive care unit to exam rooms or the OR.

The principle of IMEC is to function as a connector between the ceiling-mounted and mobile medical supply units, to be compatible with medical and technical equipment of all types and machine brands – from IV management to respiration systems and monitoring systems – and to dock onto every conventional intensive care bed. All supply lines and cables are protected against strong pulls or even breakages; the patients remain securely connected to the IV and life support devices during the entire transport. IMEC even provides space for an emergency bag, a gas bottle holder and a suction system. Despite a loading capacity of up to 65 kilograms, the unit, consisting of bed and IMEC that can be securely connected in any situation, can be comfortably moved by two nursing staff. It can even be maneuvered in a tight space and fit into any elevator that is three meters long.

A sample calculation of savings through the use of IMEC:
- Procurement costs amortize in a short time
- Average number of transports per day: 4
- Number of working days per year: 220
- Time savings per transport: 20 minutes
- Average hourly rate per nurse: 39 Euros
- Time savings per year: 293 hours
- Financial savings per year per person: 11,440 Euros