Hospital auxiliary supports ER bariatric stretcher acquisition

December 1, 2025

RIPON – The SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital Auxiliary has donated $20,425 to fund a Graham-Field Hausted 5B800ST All Purpose Bariatric Electric Stretcher for the hospital’s emergency room.

Emergency Room Manager Ashley Kolberg said the new stretcher is designed to meet patient management needs while being versatile enough to be used in every phase of care, from patient treatment, from pre-op to recovery.

“As the number of bariatric patients increases, healthcare facilities need proper equipment to safely care for these patients while ensuring staff safety,” she said. “This all-purpose bariatric stretcher provides patient comfort, as well as greater efficiencies with features like the optional Navigator Power Drive System – a full powered drive system used to more easily maneuver the stretcher forward, backward and side-to-side – helping reduce the physical demand on staff.”