This week, Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital is rolling out new technology to help safely move patients in their hospital beds.
The hospital is installing the Hercules Patient Repositioning System, an automated device that allows healthcare staff to reposition patients in their beds with the touch of a few buttons. The Hercules system was chosen for its ability to enhance safety and efficiency while improving the overall patient experience.
Repositioning patients regularly is critical for maintaining healthy blood flow and alleviating pressure on areas prone to injury. Traditionally, this task required multiple staff members, increasing the risk of physical strain or injury among caregivers. With Hercules, a single caregiver can perform the task effortlessly. The device accommodates patients weighing up to 750 pounds.
“Having the Hercules system is a game-changer for patient care. Now, instead of the patient having to wait for several team members to help physically move them, one team member can push a button to move the patient into a comfortable position,” said Shannon Mulrooney, Nursing Operations Manager at Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, noting that the Hercules system is more comfortable for patients, optimizes the safety of clinical team members and streamlines clinical workflows.
The Hercules Patient Repositioning System is attached to a bedframe and pulls up a patient lying down on a special sheet in 15 seconds or less with a click of two buttons.
Orlando Health initially launched a pilot program for the Hercules system last month at its Orlando Regional Medical Center and South Lake Hospital locations. Following its success, the hospital plans to install the device across Progressive Care Units throughout its Florida facilities. The healthcare system is also evaluating potential applications for other inpatient medical units.
“With this roll-out, we have now become the first health system in Florida to implement Hercules as a part of our care delivery model. We are excited to continue to provide quality care in Florida and beyond,” said Darius Love, Assistant Vice President, Workforce Optimization and Redesign at Orlando Health, in a prepared statement.
Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, located in downtown St. Pete at 701 6th St. S., is a historic 480-bed level II trauma and tertiary care center. Founded in 1910, the hospital has undergone numerous transformations throughout its history and was acquired by Orlando Health, a private, not-for-profit healthcare organization, in October 2020.
The Hercules Patient Repositioning System, developed by The Morel Company, was developed with the goal of improving patient care and reducing caregiver strain in mind. Introduced in 2014, the system has been widely recognized for its impact on safe patient handling. It won the ET Foundation Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition in the Professional Category and received a Medical Design Excellence Award.
“We are grateful to be at the forefront of using this advanced technology, that simplifies an important healthcare task, for the benefit of patients and team members,” said Darius Love, Assistant Vice President of Workforce Optimization & Redesign at Orlando Health, in a prepared statement. “This initiative underscores Orlando Health’s dedication to serving our patients and to being a ‘best place to work’ by equipping our clinical team members with the tools they need to deliver exceptional care while also prioritizing their well-being.”
Not only does the Hercules system help patients and hospital staff, but it’s proven to be a cost-effective solution for healthcare companies. By preventing caregiver injuries (which cost an average of $24,000 per incident, according to the nonprofit SolutionHealth) and reducing hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (averaging $43,000 per case), facilities experience significant financial savings. Research also shows that back injuries and related muscle strains account for 52% of all healthcare worker injuries, surpassing similar injury rates in the construction, logging and manufacturing industries.
The estimated return on investment for hospitals using Hercules is $200,000 in the first year alone, with potential 10-year savings exceeding $2 million.
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