Lifts are used to help position patients from sitting to lying positions.
Patient lifts, also known as Hoyer lifts, are used in many healthcare settings to assist immobile patients in and out of bed. Also used to transfer a patient from sitting to lying positions, patient lifts require training and safety regulations for healthcare workers. Patient lifts are commonly found in convalescent homes and hospitals for daily care of long-term patients. Proper use of these lifts will reduce risk of injury to both you and the patient.
Instructions
1. Place bed rails in the up and locked position, or wheelchair wheels on lock, depending on where you are lifting the patient from. Roll the patient onto his side and place the sling lengthwise at his back, bunching the closest side with enough slack so that you can pull it toward you. If the patient is in a wheelchair, bunch the sling behind his back to his tailbone.
2. Roll the patient over onto his other side and gently pull the bunched portion of the sling toward you to straighten it out. Roll the patient onto his back, making sure the sling is even and smoothed beneath him. Bring the sling ends through his legs. For a wheelchair transfer, pull the sling ends between the patient's legs so that you can safely fasten the sling to the lift.
3. Open the legs of the lift by using the crank for a manual lift or the "open" button for an electric lift. Legs must be open wide before positioning it into place. Lock the legs once they are opened.
4. Steer the lift into position using the handles at the back of the lift. For transferring from a bed, make sure that the legs are underneath the bed's base. For transferring from a wheelchair, make sure the legs are on either side of the chair's wheels.
5. Lower the lift to a height that will allow you to connect the sling attachments, but not too low to where the patient could get hit. Manual lifts have a crank for lowering at the middle of your lift, while electric lifts have a "down" button.
6. Attach the fasteners from the sling to the lift's hooks carefully. Double check to ensure they are secured to the lift and pose no risk of coming loose during transfer of your patient.
7. Raise the lift slowly until the patient's feet are clear of any obstruction. Unlock the wheels and close the lift's legs to slowly roll your patient to your destination. Turn your patient to where he is facing you and his feet are resting against the lift's frame on either side before moving the lift.
8. Open the lift's legs as before, locking the wheels when you are finished, and steer into position to lower your patient. Turn your patient to the proper position for the transfer. Slowly lower your patient to the bed or wheelchair, making sure he is fully lowered.
9. Unfasten the sling from the lift and raise the lift again to clear it of the patient's body. Steer the lift away from your patient, unlocking and closing the lift legs before proceeding with your patient.
10. Remove the sling from your patient by placing the ends underneath his legs and rolling him onto his side facing away from you. Bunch up the visible side of the sling snugly against his back and slowly roll him over to face you, removing the rest of the sling. For a wheelchair removal, while the sling ends are under his legs, bunch them to under his bottom and lift out from the back, being careful not to pull too hard.
Tags: your patient, Roll patient, sling ends, away from, either side, from sitting
