A Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) was designed by CADUS in collaboration with MetaLab as part of the project Tolocar. Mobile Makerspaces in Ukraine. The core element of transforming a bus into a MICU is the Stretcher Attachment Bracket.
Background[edit | edit source]
Since the beginning of the Russian war on Ukraine on February 24th 2022, the safety of patients and their necessary care in hospitals cannot be guaranteed, especially near the frontlines. Intensive care patients are particularly affected by the situation, as they must be monitored around the clock. Medical evacuation (MedEvac) missions transport patients to safe hospitals in Ukraine or in the European Union.
Each MedEvac mission is usually carried out by an ambulance with a crew consisting of a driver and at least one paramedic. Transport of several patients from the same place would thus require several ambulances and crews. In a huge country like Ukraine, this ties up a lot of workforces, and it stresses the vehicles which are usually not built for long distances. To make MedEvac missions more effective, CADUS in collaboration with Metalab converted a bus into a Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU). The advantage: more patients are transported with fewer staff, using a vehicle that is designed for long-distance travel.
Benefits and criteria[edit | edit source]
In this project, a passenger bus was transformed into a Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) which can transport up to 4 patients who require intesive care.
The criteria under which this project was designed were patient and team safety, durability, cost efficacy, and quick deployment.
Bill of materials[edit | edit source]
- 4x bracket: 140mm 50mm x 50mm x 3mm with 16mm hole in the center
- Screws recovered from stripping the bus
- 4x 1 inch ratchet
Assembly instructions[edit | edit source]
The transformation of a bus to a Mobile Intensive Care Unit requires several steps to be taken:
- Selecting a Bus
- Stripping the Bus
- Securing the stretcher
- Securing medical equipment
- Building storage space
- Building nurse station
- Providing Water In/ Out
- Providing (Medical) Garbage Disposal
The centerpiece of the transformation is the stretcher attachment bracket.
During the stripping process, most seats are removed from the bus – those needed for paramedics will remain inside. Buses have a wall and floor channel that form the structural system to fix seats or other interiors.
Do not damage this system! Keep the screws which secured the seats!
Fabricate brackets and screw holes according to technical drawings. Chamfer corners to prevent injury if struck. Powder coat if available.
Attach 2 x brackets to existing rail used for securing seats. Reuse screws from securing the seat.
Attach 2 x brackets to floor using existing lugs. Reuse screws from securing the seat.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
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MICU Stretcher Attachment Bracket - Side
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MICU Stretcher Attachment Bracket - Front
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MICU Stretcher Attachment Bracket
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MICU Stretcher Attachment Bracket - in use
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MICU Stretcher 3D Rendering
Further work[edit | edit source]
MICU was built by CADUS and MetaLab in Ivano-Frankivsk in August 2022 and has been deployed in Ukraine since then. CADUS transformed a truck into a mobile Primary Health Care Unit (PHC) and brought it to Ukraine in January 2023.
How to contribute[edit | edit source]
Donate for Humanitarian Aid Off The Beaten Track!
Contact details[edit | edit source]
CADUS e.V.
Holzmarkstraße 25
10243 Berlin
info@cadus.org