brancard

A brancard is a medical transport device used to carry patients who are injured or ill. The term is French in origin, and in English the device is usually called a stretcher. Brancards are used to move patients from the scene of an illness or injury to an ambulance, hospital bed, or operating room, and can be employed inside facilities for patient transfers.

Historically, brancards were simple frames of wood or wicker with a canvas or leather sheet, carried by bearers. Over time they evolved into standardized devices designed for safety and efficiency, including wheeled variants and devices that allow immobilization of the head and spine. Modern brancards are often referred to as stretchers and are manufactured to medical-device standards.

Common types include basket stretchers, scoop stretchers, and wheeled or portable stretchers. Basket stretchers are rigid, metal or composite frames that enclose the patient; scoop stretchers are two rigid halves that surround the patient and can be opened to adjust; wheeled stretchers have wheels and a braking system for easier transport. Materials range from wood and canvas to aluminum, steel, or lightweight composites, with padding and restraint straps for immobilization.

In practice, brancards are used by emergency medical services, hospital wards, and disaster or military medical teams. Proper use emphasizes immobilization to prevent spinal or other injuries, securement with straps, and safe lifting by trained personnel. Risks include movement-related injuries, pressure sores, and impairment of circulation if not properly padded or strapped.

The word brancard is widely recognized in French-speaking contexts; in English it is primarily translated as stretcher. In some languages, brancard remains a loanword for historical or professional references.