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A gurney is a wheeled stretcher: a platform on a wheeled frame that carries a patient lying flat. In US federal regulation the product is called a “wheeled stretcher,” and FDA sorts stretcher-type devices into three classes depending on whether they are carried by hand, rolled, or battery-powered.
This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
What a gurney is
FDA’s definition in 21 CFR 880.6910 describes a wheeled stretcher as “a device consisting of a platform mounted on a wheeled frame that is designed to transport patients in a horizontal position.” The same text says the device may have side rails, supports for fluid infusion equipment, and patient securement straps, and that the frame may be fixed or collapsible for use in an ambulance. Its purpose is moving a patient who is lying down from one place to another, including between a vehicle and a building.
Gurney, stretcher, trolley: the names
“Gurney” is an everyday name, not a regulatory term. Regulators use “wheeled stretcher.” Wikipedia lists “trolley,” “bed” and “cart” as alternative names for a wheeled stretcher. A gurney is built to be moved with the patient on it; for the stationary bed side of that comparison, see what is a hospital bed for the bed side of that comparison.
How it is built
Per the FDA definition, the core is a platform on a wheeled frame. Optional features named in the regulation are side rails, supports for fluid infusion equipment and securement straps. The frame can be fixed or collapsible for ambulance use.
Types and how FDA classifies them
| Type | FDA definition (short) | Class and premarket status | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-carried stretcher | A lightweight frame, or two poles with a cloth or metal platform, on which a patient can be carried | Class I (general controls); exempt from premarket notification, subject to 880.9 | 21 CFR 880.6900 |
| Wheeled stretcher (gurney) | A platform on a wheeled frame that transports patients in a horizontal position | Class II (special controls); exempt from premarket notification, subject to 880.9 | 21 CFR 880.6910 |
| Powered wheeled stretcher | A battery-powered table with wheels for patients who cannot propel themselves and must stay prone or supine for long periods because of skin ulcers or contractures | Class II (performance standards); exempt from premarket notification subject to 890.9 and 11 listed conditions | 21 CFR 890.3690 |
Hand-carried stretchers, such as the rigid boards covered in backboards and stretchers, are in the lowest-risk class. A hand-carried stretcher is also exempt from the quality management system requirements of 21 CFR part 820 except records and complaint files under 820.35.
What the regulator expects of powered models
The exemption for a powered wheeled stretcher depends on documented analysis and nonclinical testing. The regulation lists: safety controls that prevent falls if the device fails; rated user weight load with a factor of safety; longevity and expected service life; environments of use and storage; electromagnetic compatibility and electrical safety; biocompatibility of skin-contacting parts; software life cycle; nonflammable components; battery performance over its service life; adequate labeling for proper use and maintenance; and a risk assessment that includes the dimensional limits of gaps in hospital beds and mitigation of entrapment. The regulation gives no capacity or size figures, so none are given here.
How to choose
The selection criteria that FDA regulations state are the ones above: confirm which FDA device type a product is (hand-carried, wheeled, or powered wheeled), and for powered models check that the manufacturer’s labeling covers proper use and maintenance, as the regulation requires. Rated load, dimensions and ambulance compatibility are product-specific; take them from the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
Safe use and handling basics
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use for the specific model; the regulation requires labeling that documents proper use and maintenance of powered models.
- Reusable transport devices that contact blood or other potentially infectious material fall under the cleaning and decontamination requirements of OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030.
- Use securement straps and side rails where the model has them; the FDA definition names both as features of the device.
- For a related patient-handling device, see what is a patient lift; for how reusable equipment is classified for disinfection, see high-level disinfection and the Spaulding classification.
Common mistakes
- Treating “gurney” as a regulatory category. The regulation uses wheeled stretcher, and a hand-carried or powered unit is classified separately.
- Assuming all stretcher types carry the same classification. Hand-carried is Class I; wheeled and powered wheeled are Class II.
- Assuming an exemption from premarket notification means no rules apply. Each exemption is stated as subject to the limitations in 880.9 or 890.9, and powered models carry 11 conditions.
FAQ
What is a gurney?
A wheeled stretcher: a platform on a wheeled frame that carries a patient in a horizontal position (21 CFR 880.6910).
Is a gurney the same as a hospital bed?
A gurney is a wheeled stretcher designed to transport a patient lying down, which the FDA text above defines. For the bed side of the comparison, see what is a hospital bed.
Is a gurney a medical device?
Yes. FDA classifies the wheeled stretcher as a Class II device that is exempt from premarket notification, subject to 880.9.
Can a gurney fold for an ambulance?
The regulation says the frame may be fixed or collapsible for use in an ambulance.
Sources
- FDA, 21 CFR 880.6910 Wheeled stretcher, eCFR, checked 2026-10-30: ecfr.gov
- FDA, 21 CFR 880.6900 Hand-carried stretcher, eCFR, checked 2026-10-30: ecfr.gov
- FDA, 21 CFR 890.3690 Powered wheeled stretcher, eCFR, checked 2026-10-30: ecfr.gov
- OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogens, checked 2026-10-30: osha.gov
- Wikipedia, Stretcher (alternative names only), checked 2026-10-30: en.wikipedia.org
