Intensive/critical care units are often fast-paced and unpredictable settings that can increase the risk of injuries to care staff. In addition, patients in such units are usually quite physically dependent and have difficulty following directions due to medications and illness. This means they require more assistance from care staff, which increases the risk of care staff injuries still further.
There are many challenges associated with providing safe patient handling in intensive care units. The medical condition of those being treated in such units can often change rapidly, which means that care staff are often required to assess and reassess patients’ functional status and handling needs, and to do so at frequent intervals.
Intensive care units are usually crowded with both staff and equipment, forcing care staff to work in awkward positions.
A wide range of lifting and handling tasks are frequently carried out in intensive care facilities.
- Positioning and turning patients for treatments (wound management, applying dressings, access, etc.)
- Moving and handling patients for changing bed linen
- Positioning and holding patients’ legs (hygiene, wounds, etc.)
- Positioning patients in prone position
- Turning patients over
- Weighing patients to register and monitor trends in each patient’s weight
- Repositioning the patient toward the head of bed
- Supine lateral transfers to stretchers or other bed surfaces
- Bedside imaging (chest X-rays, abdominal X-rays, portable CT scans, etc.)
- Checking the patient’s balance while standing
This extremely powerful, rapid-acting lifting module is also particularly user-friendly. It is available with an optional scales module that is ideal for use anywhere it is important to monitor changes in patient’s weight. The patient’s weight is clearly and accurately shown on the display on the hand control unit.
2. GH3 Twin ceiling hoist, 250 or 500 kgHeavy-duty lifting module with double lifting strap.
Function – for when a patient’s leg or legs need lifting and/or support.
Suitable for:
- wound care
- diabetic foot care
- ace or other wrapping
- applying therapeutic socks/hosiery, etc.
- assistance with perineal access or bedpans
- lifting and holding patients’ arm or arms.
Function – makes it possible to roll a patient onto either side without removing the sling. Makes it possible to place a sling under patients without having to roll or move them.
Suitable for:
- access to patient’s skin for inspection, treatment and care
- rolling to provide easy access for hygiene, wound dressings, assessment, etc.
- rolling initiation
- tasks to be carried out while patients are lying on their sides.
Function – a sling for use as part of the bedclothes on the patient’s bed. It can be left positioned underneath the patient, ready for use in conjunction with care tasks.
Suitable for:
- transferring patients to and from a range of different surfaces (bed, stretcher, floor, etc)
- turning patients
- boosting patients up the bed
- repositioning patients
- use when changing bed sheets
- use in conjunction with CT scans / MRIs.
This is a single-use sling that can withstand getting wet, and is disposed of after use. Beneficial for use as part of infection control programmes. The disposable high sling supports the patient’s whole body, including the head.
Suitable for:
- transferring patients out of bed
- bed-to-chair and chair-to-bed patient transfers
- supported sitting
- helping patients into a sitting position to test reactions, reflexes, protective responses
- assistance with perineal access
- toilet visits, use of bed pans.
Ambulation and standing sling that provides support around the chest and shoulder areas. Detachable leg straps give support around the hip area, and prevent the user sliding out of the sling.
Suitable for:
- transitional postures
- sit-to-stand / stand-to-sit transfers
- stand balance
- reactions, reflexes, protective responses while standing
- weight shifting
- gait training.
Ideal for when stable horizontal lifting is required. This lifter is equipped with manual weight adjustment. Can be used with either a complete lifting sheet or a set of lifting straps. When stored in the transport and storage trolley, the horizontal lifter only takes up a minimum of space.
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