Implications of a Wheelchair-integrated Transfer System for Patient Safety, Caregiver Ergonomics, and Health Service Delivery in Low-resource Settings

Patient transfers involving individuals with reduced mobility constitute a frequent activity within health services and represent a critical point in terms of patient safety, caregiver ergonomic load, and operational efficiency. Transfers from wheelchair to vehicle are particularly challenging, especially in low-resource settings, where the availability of assistive technologies is limited and transfers are usually performed using manual techniques. This study analyzes, from a health services research perspective, the implications of a wheelchair-integrated transfer system on care processes. [9] An observational pilot evaluation was carried out during supervised wheelchair-to-vehicle transfers, focusing on aspects related to patient stability, caregiver physical effort, process predictability, and integration into routine workflows. The observations suggest that the system allowed more controlled and standardized transfers, reducing manual handling and caregiver physical effort, and improving patient stability and participation. From an organizational perspective, the system showed potential to contribute to safer and more efficient transfer processes, with relevant implications for the sustainability of health services in resource-limited contexts. Although this is an exploratory study, the findings support the need to continue evaluating integrated assistive technologies not only for their technical performance, but also for their impact on the organization and functioning of health services.