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| Assists in the treatment of burns & a wide variety of post-procedural uses. Ideal for patients recovering from complex burns & trauma. |
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| The Bradford Sling® Arm Elevator |
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History
Bradford will never forget the Bradford City Fire Disaster in 1985; claiming 56 lives and seeing hundreds of people rushed to hospital suffering from burns. Professor David Sharpe was a consultant on call at Bradford Royal Infirmary on the weekend of the fire and led a team of surgeons from all parts of the country to help the injured supporters.
It was during the treatment of the supporters that a piece of medical equipment demonstrated its great effectiveness; with it going on to be used by many hospitals throughout the UK ever since. |
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Origins
The Bradford Sling Arm Elevator was created in 1982 by Professor Sharpe along with Professor Ian Jackson when they decided to redesign some surgical instruments. The pair designed the sling based on what seemed like a logical idea; improving on the method at that time to hold a limb which was simply a loop of canvas attached to a bedside support.
Professor Sharpe said: "The Arm Elevator was invented after identifying a need for a versatile sling which could support the weight of a patient's arm, be used when the patient is mobile and adjust to fit any size of arm."
"Once we'd drawn up the design for the sling; we worked with seamstresses to find a strong enough seam so that if you stretch it with the weight of a patient's limb, it won't tear. Despite holding strength, the sling still remains lightweight and easy for the healthcare professional to use." |
Quick Overview
Protection for the limb and wound area while still allowing movement. The foam construction reduces risk to pressure points. Access to hand and wrist area to check limb circulation. An additional barrier to wound infection. Lightweight and easy-to-use.Hook/loop fastenings allowing easy access to inspect the wound area. |
How it Works
The sling works by lifting the patient's arm to a comfortable position and supporting it whilst the patient recovers from surgical procedures or burns.
It is versatile as it is able to easily convert into a mobile sling; adjustable to allow both high and normal sling positions.
The sling increases patient comfort and encourages a faster recovery. This is thanks to its foam construction reducing any risk to the patient's pressure points and hook/loop fastenings allowing easy access for woundcare. It is also disposable and single-use; enabling it to avoid cross contamination.
Professor Sharpe, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Bradford Royal Infirmary, said: "When the fire took place we had 80 patients admitted - the majority suffering from hand burns. Thankfully we had the Arm Elevator there to use on these patients, helping us to deliver quality patient care."
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Applications
Originally designed for use on patients recovering from burns and plastic surgery; the sling is now a popular choice across a wider range of post-procedural end uses. These include applications in vascular treatment trauma/elective orthopaedics, accident and emergency, paediatrics, physiotherapy, general medicine and for outpatients. |
| To assist in the treatment of burns and a wide variety of post-procedural end-uses. Ideal for patients recovering from complex burns and other trauma. |
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