Shower Trolley Suppliers

Shower trolleys are used by individuals with postural challenges, limited mobility, cognitive impairments or are confined to bed. The shower trolley allows bathing to be done in a safe and comfortable manner while easing the workload of carers.

They are also used by patients with wound and burn injuries. Proper hygiene care is a vital concern to the healing process. The shower trolley provides good access when washing and treating affected parts of a patient's body.

There are two types of mechanisms that perform adjustment controls in a shower trolley. These are:.

• Electric controls are generally smoother for the user and are easier for caregivers to use. However, this mechanism is battery powered and requires regular charging to be used.
• Hydraulic controls do not require charging and are usually cheaper to purchase. The chosen mechanism will depend on user experience and the needs of the organisation.

Shower trolleys are available in a range of sizes and specifications. The dimensions of the trolley are dictated by the height and BMI of the individual, whereas the safe working load is determined by the combination of the water and the individual's weight.

The maximum and minimum height adjustments should also be suitable for the bed height when transferring an individual onto the shower trolley.

Another consideration to make is the usable surface area of the platform, this will benefit the caregivers during the cleaning process. 

Here are some examples of the size and specifications available for shower trolleys.

The most common problem shower trolleys encounter after repeated use is damage to the castor locking mechanism. Shower trolleys have four wheels all with individual locks.

It is important that these locks remain in good working order as they keep the trolley in place when transferring an individual and during the cleaning process. The locks must also be quickly and easily released in case of an emergency where the individual must be moved.

The locking mechanism may become damaged from repeated use, pushing the trolley while the lock is engaged or bent from an external source. The mechanism may be able to be fixed or in some same cases will need to be completely replaced. Some models may feature a centralised locking mechanism which removes the chance of a lock being damaged due to user error.

The main difference between a shower trolley, shower bench and a shower table is mobility. Shower trolleys have four wheels and are able to transport a patient from their bed to the shower room. On the other hand shower benches and tables are fixed in position to the wall or are supported by 4 legs. A shower trolley also features a range of height adjustments and is capable of providing the user with a shallow batch, unlike the shower bench and table.

Shower trolleys are available in a range of different size specifications and weight capacities. Adult shower trolleys typically have a weight capacity of 180kg and pediatric trolleys are usually rated at 120kg. For individuals that require an increased weight capacity, a bariatric model may be suitable. It is important to factor in the weight of water when selecting a suitable shower trolley, as this may exceed the safe operating limit.