Aim(s)

Some patients are unable to receive haemodialysis services at the dialysis centre.

To provide off-site dialysis services, nurses are required to manoeuvre a dialysis machine which weighs about 73 kg, as well as a reverse osmosis machine with weighs 33 kg. Moreover, these machines are not designed for long distance manoeuvres. To provide a single dialysis session, nurses will need to make four trips to and fro the dialysis centre.

Hence, the aim of this project is to design and build a motorised trolley that can transport the two machines at the same time.

Methodology

A multi-disciplinary team, consisting of members from Nursing Division, Facilities and Management Engineering, Biomechanical Engineering and Workplace Safety was formed.

The design focused on:

-the osmosis machine being mounted on a motorised trolley

-enhancement to wheels of dialysis machines

-attachment of motorised trolley to dialysis machine

-Steering via a hand lever, which also controls the speed of the trolley.

-dual direction steering to allow easy manoeuvre in and out of lifts

Result

Use of the motorised trolleys helped to:

• Reduce turnaround time between hemodialysis sessions
• Enable more dialysis sessions to be provided
• Reduce risk of occupational injury related to prolonged push/pull manoeuvres of heavy machineries

Conclusion

A motorised solution helped to ensure safety during transport of equipment, and lead to enhanced service provision for patients.