Making Transfers Safer - The Benefits of Using Patient Lift Slings
Using patient lift slings make the safety of both the patient and the caregiver an easy thing to achieve.
Caregivers reduce the chances of themselves being injured by attempting to move a non-responsive patient or one that might be too heavy to move otherwise.
By taking extra care in patient lifting, the dignity and safety of the patient is also assured, no matter what the situation.
Slings come in a variety of types, each one custom designed for whatever need they will be used for.
There are toilet slings, designed with appropriate openings for use once the patient is transferred to the toilet, and can also be used to quickly replace incontinence pads while the patient is in their wheelchair.
Hygienic slings were created for use in the bath, to make patient handling easier after the transfer has been made.
They are easily removed or loosened, so that the patient's dignity is preserved, and they are able to wash themselves efficiently, with or without assistance.
Comfort slings are made out of durable nylon that is smoothly brushed to cut down on abrasions and bedsores from use in beds and wheelchairs.
Patient Transfer Devices To ease the quick transfer of a patient from a wheelchair to a bed, especially if the patient can assist, the first device often used in hospitals and other places is the gait belt.
To use this device in conjunction with patient lift slings, an additional belt is worn by the healthcare worker that attaches to a ring on the sling.
Once the belt is secured, the healthcare worker now has sufficient leverage to easily lift the patient out of the wheelchair, and on to their feet.
By applying gentle support to the patient's elbows, and moving a step at a time, the patient can now be transferred from the chair to the bed.
The patient cannot fall away from the healthcare worker because they are attached to them through the use of the belt.
The healthcare worker, however, is now the patient's only link for stability, and care must be taken during movement so that neither one slips before reaching the bed.
It is advised that if you are going to be using a gait belt with patient slings, you must place the wheelchair within two steps of the edge of the bed for a successful transfer.
In times when the patient is incapable of assisting healthcare workers with their transfers, it may be necessary to utilize a medical lift along with patient lift slings.
The hydraulic lift, ceiling lift, and electric lift are all used in the transfer of a patient from their wheelchair, using patient lift slings, to a bed, table or bath.
Performing a Mechanical Lift The first step is to be sure that the patient has been properly fitted into the appropriate sling before attaching it to any mechanical lift.
If you are using the lift to transfer the patient to a wheelchair, make sure that it is well within reach of the lift, so that the patient does not have to hang in the sling any longer than necessary.
Make sure that no obstructions are in the way, like bed rails or other equipment.
Secure the sling to the lift device, and double-check all attachments before operating.
If possible, keep one hand on the patient as back or neck support during the transfer, and once the transfer is complete, disengage and remove the sling as soon as possible for the best chance in patient safety.
Caregivers reduce the chances of themselves being injured by attempting to move a non-responsive patient or one that might be too heavy to move otherwise.
By taking extra care in patient lifting, the dignity and safety of the patient is also assured, no matter what the situation.
Slings come in a variety of types, each one custom designed for whatever need they will be used for.
There are toilet slings, designed with appropriate openings for use once the patient is transferred to the toilet, and can also be used to quickly replace incontinence pads while the patient is in their wheelchair.
Hygienic slings were created for use in the bath, to make patient handling easier after the transfer has been made.
They are easily removed or loosened, so that the patient's dignity is preserved, and they are able to wash themselves efficiently, with or without assistance.
Comfort slings are made out of durable nylon that is smoothly brushed to cut down on abrasions and bedsores from use in beds and wheelchairs.
Patient Transfer Devices To ease the quick transfer of a patient from a wheelchair to a bed, especially if the patient can assist, the first device often used in hospitals and other places is the gait belt.
To use this device in conjunction with patient lift slings, an additional belt is worn by the healthcare worker that attaches to a ring on the sling.
Once the belt is secured, the healthcare worker now has sufficient leverage to easily lift the patient out of the wheelchair, and on to their feet.
By applying gentle support to the patient's elbows, and moving a step at a time, the patient can now be transferred from the chair to the bed.
The patient cannot fall away from the healthcare worker because they are attached to them through the use of the belt.
The healthcare worker, however, is now the patient's only link for stability, and care must be taken during movement so that neither one slips before reaching the bed.
It is advised that if you are going to be using a gait belt with patient slings, you must place the wheelchair within two steps of the edge of the bed for a successful transfer.
In times when the patient is incapable of assisting healthcare workers with their transfers, it may be necessary to utilize a medical lift along with patient lift slings.
The hydraulic lift, ceiling lift, and electric lift are all used in the transfer of a patient from their wheelchair, using patient lift slings, to a bed, table or bath.
Performing a Mechanical Lift The first step is to be sure that the patient has been properly fitted into the appropriate sling before attaching it to any mechanical lift.
If you are using the lift to transfer the patient to a wheelchair, make sure that it is well within reach of the lift, so that the patient does not have to hang in the sling any longer than necessary.
Make sure that no obstructions are in the way, like bed rails or other equipment.
Secure the sling to the lift device, and double-check all attachments before operating.
If possible, keep one hand on the patient as back or neck support during the transfer, and once the transfer is complete, disengage and remove the sling as soon as possible for the best chance in patient safety.
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