BaptistCare employee nominated for HESTA award for inventing a revolutionary new bed
To prevent bed sores, immobile residents need to be turned regularly, but this can wake them during the night. Tracy Burling, BaptistCare Regional Operations Manager and Registered Nurse with three decades' worth of experience, thought there must be a better way.
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30 August 2024
News
| Aged Care Homes
When Tracy Burling was unable to find a bed for a reasonable price that could turn a resident to prevent bed sores, she decided to invent one herself.
Burling Turn Assist beds are now sold across Australia and Tracy was nominated for the Individual Leadership in Aged Care award in the HESTA 2024 Excellence Awards. HESTA is the industry superannuation fund for health and community services.
The BaptistCare employee said she was motivated by the look of annoyance one night on the face of an elderly resident who was woken while being turned in her bed.
“Sleep deprivation has a terrible effect. Imagine being woken twice a night, every night,” Tracy said.
“Research shows when residents are tired they fall over more. They don’t eat well, so they don’t heal properly. And we wonder why they get cross.”
BaptistCare supported Tracy’s project as she fleshed out her ideas. General Manager of Residential Services, Allan Waters, had arranged the donation of one of BaptistCare’s existing beds so she could test her designs.
Tracy then hired a mechanical engineer before applying for a patent and contracting a manufacturer. She said the only other bed that could help residents turn cost about $26,000, the same price as a small sports utility vehicle (SUV).
BaptistCare procurement Manager Cameron Phipps, pictured above with Tracy, also supported her efforts and attended some of the trade shows where the bed was exhibited.
Last year Tracy won the Enablement Award for Innovation in Palliative Care / Disability Care from NDIS Co-op, a nation-wide group of disability service providers.
Tracy was one of three finalists in HESTA’s Individual Leadership in Aged Care award, announced in August.
“It was such an honour to be nominated and attend the awards,” Tracy said.
Tracy is also a finalist for Best in Innovation in the Coastline Credit Union Mid Coast Business Awards on 7 September, and a finalist for Excellence in Innovation for the Regional Business Awards from the industry group Business NSW on 27 September.
Well done, Tracy!