The CHU of Martinique has graciously received five exoskeletons from the Rotary Club of Lamentin. This new medical equipment seems to come at the right time for caregivers who make significant physical efforts when handling patients with reduced mobility.
The resuscitation, physical medicine and rehabilitation departments of the Mangot Vulcin hospital are primarily concerned. The Louis Domergue hospital in Trinité with its long-term care service also benefits from this donation.
It is a lightweight, space-saving device that resembles a vest. It is mainly used to support the user’s back in order to limit the taking of dangerous postures.
A way to relieve the caregiver, without hindering his gesture.
“80% of sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
The daily work of a carer is accompanied by technical gestures, made repeatedly. Certain heavy manipulations can contribute in the long term to the exhaustion of nursing staff.
Rebecca Rangon, multi-purpose intensive care nurse at La Meynard, describes how these exoskeletons are invaluable:
It will help us in terms of posture, which is very important because around 80% of sick leaves are due to musculoskeletal problems. Back and lumbar problems are very painful. And even for the patient, it can also be complicated since we want to avoid hurting him while sparing our backs. This is a very, very nice gesture on the part of the Rotary club towards our unit, resuscitation.
The exoskeleton was very useful during the epidemiological peaks of the pandemic in hospitals in France. Caregivers in intensive care units had to perform a complex turning maneuver called prone position on patients who had difficulty breathing.