Patient lifts are designed to lift and transfer patients from one place to another (e.g., from bed to bath, chair to stretcher). These should not be confused with stairway chair lifts or elevators. Patient lifts may be operated using a power source or manually. For this article we are going to talk about how a patient lifter helps in assisting mobility.
Introducing Patient Lifters
A patient lift is used to help caregivers transport patients who have limited mobility to and from a bed, wheelchair, shower or toilet. Patient lifts come in a few basic varieties and are used in hospitals, nursing homes and private residents alike for patients with varying degrees of mobility. The quality and ease of use found in patient lifts have vastly improved over the years. While there have always been those devices that were better in weight, maneuverability and patient assistance, they’ve typically been on the more expensive side, and didn’t offer much in terms of storage ease. Today’s patient lifts have come a long way in terms of safety, cost and convenience for both the patient and the caregiver. There are three types of Patient Lifter.
Three Types of Patient Lifter
Patient lifters come in three various types, and the caregiver must determine which is the best lifter to have in order to support his patient according to his needs. Now, in this post, we will distinguish and understand the many forms of patient lifters.
✔️ Manual Patient Lifter - Manual Patient Lifts require less physical energy to raise the patient. The person cranking the lever uses minimal effort since the hard work is accomplished by the hydraulic fluid. These lifts offer a safe way to lift mobility patients who are unable to physically get out of bed or a chair on their own.
Tubular Transfer Slide Sheet - The Ausnew Tubular Transfer Slide Sheet Assists in transferring and positioning for people with varying degrees of dependency.
✔️Mobile Patient lifter - are more expensive but are usually easier on caregivers because there is virtually zero manual labor involved in moving patients. Power is provided through rechargeable batteries or a standard electrical outlet.
320kg Mobile Patient Lifter - The Ausnew 320 kg Mobile Patient Lifter is a heavy-duty patient lifter and mobile. It is fully featured; suitable for lifting in common situations across numerous care settings which include: rehabilitation, professional care, and others.
✔️Sit-to-stand lifts are for those patients who do have some mobility but still need help to rise up from a sitting position to transfer to another seat.
Turner Drive Able Assist - The Ausnew Turner Drive Able Assist Patient Transfer Aid delivers a complex free and secure solution for a caretaker requiring to transfer a patient.
Patient Lifter's Advantages for Both the Caregiver and the Patient
1. Transfer lifts protect the caregiver
Committed and loving caregivers frequently give up their backs and bodies to care for their loved ones. One of the best things you can do as a good caregiver to safeguard your loved one is to protect your own body, since you are a lifeline for their care. Transfer lifts that are properly matched can considerably protect the caregiver's safety.
2. Transfer lifts protect the individual being transferred
Transfer devices that are properly chosen also protect the person being transported. Individuals who are properly matched with the appropriate transfer device can be transferred more safely and securely, and there are typically techniques to optimize placement once they are assisted up. Any lift system requires caregiver training and knowledge.
3. Transfer lifts can reduce the cost and need for additional caregivers
Having a safe and effective transfer lift can help with transfer management and can frequently make the procedure easier, requiring fewer carers to complete a transfer and allowing the caregiver to focus on other chores such as posture or garment management for bathroom care. The cost of putting money into a good transfer lift system can pay off.
4. Transfer lifts provide freedom
Having simpler transfer management solutions that need less caregiver help allows for more freedom in accessing numerous regions and the capacity to transfer as needed. Being less reliant on extra caregiver assistance means getting out of bed and back in, using the bathroom more frequently, and having easier access to other services such as showering and bathing.
When buying a patient lift, what are the most essential aspects to consider or features to look for?
Depending on the patient’s or facility’s individual needs, you’ll need to consider the types of positions the patient needs assistance with and when buying a patient lifter you must consider the following:
✔️Weight capacity: Ausnew Home Care offers a variety of lifts with a weight capacity ranging from an upper limit 340 to 700 lbs.
✔️Range of Lift height: Lifts should offer a wide range of lift heights to reach low enough so patients who have fallen to the floor can be lifted up, and high enough to lift patients up to a high mattress height (generally up to 66 inches).
✔️Emergency shut-off control and manual override switch: All electronic lifts should have a control to stop the lift motor in case of an emergency and should have a manual override so patients can be safely moved in case of a power loss.
✔️Scale: A built in scale is a convenience for caregivers and healthcare providers to easily weigh patients while transferring them.
✔️Slings: A number of lifter slings are available to suit a patient’s unique needs. Specialized slings include padded slings, full body slings, disposable slings, stretcher slings (for supine transfer), divided leg slings, mesh bathing slings and commode slings.