Ensuring the safety and comfort of patients with limited mobility is a top priority for caregivers in healthcare facilities, nursing homes, and even home care settings. When moving such patients, a floor hoist is often considered the most secure and efficient option. Using CHS Healthcare floor hoist empowers a controlled and supportive transfer of a patient and is safer than manual lifting, which risks injury to the patient and caregiver. In this blog, we will look at why a floor hoist is necessary to move a patient with little or no mobility safely and how a hoist is beneficial for caregivers and patients.
Understanding Floor Hoists: What Are They?
A floor hoist is a device that helps effectively transfer a patient with limited or no mobility. It usually moves from place to place, moving around to different areas in a home or facility. That hoist lifts the patient on a sling that keeps the skinny arms and legs underneath and makes it easier to move it from one place to another, like bed to chair.
Floor hoists are available in both manual and powered models:
Manual floor hoists are operated using hydraulic pumps that lift the patient.
Electric or battery-powered hoists use motorised systems, making them easier to operate and reducing the physical effort required from the caregiver.
Why a Floor Hoist is the Safest Option
- Minimises Risk of Injury for Caregivers and Patients
Caregivers put a lot of strain on themselves, manually lifting and transferring patients. Floor hoists significantly reduce caregivers’ effort for patient transfer without heavy lifting. It helps caregivers lessen the chance of back injuries, strains and similar health problems.
For patients, a floor hoist offers stability and security during transfers. Successful lifting of patients can cause accidental drops or slips, mainly if the patient is not steady. Instead, a floor hoist securely cradles the patient in a supportive sling, keeping them safe throughout the transfer process.
- Supports a Variety of Patient Needs
Patients with different levels of mobility have various degrees of need for the floor hoists to meet. It accommodates patients with severe disabilities or complete immobility, a safe, comfortable way to transfer them. Another good candidate for floor hoists is bariatric patients who may need more help than the caregiver can offer alone. CHS Healthcare floor hoists distribute the patient’s weight evenly, reducing discomfort or injury so that they can be used for anyone from high body type to low mobility.
- Promotes Dignity and Comfort for Patients
Uncomfortable or awkward transfers can make patients who are already somewhat limited in their mobility feel very vulnerable; even though they have limited mobility, it heightens these feelings of loss of independence. A floor hoist makes smooth and dignified transfers possible. The hoist lets caregivers control the gentlest possible force, minimising jerky or abrupt movements that might upset or unsettle a patient. Explains how floor hoists can provide a safe and secure patient experience on an otherwise stressful part of the daily routine; patients will feel more respected and at ease.
- Reduces the Need for Multiple Caregivers
Manual lifting, however, usually requires two or more caregivers to safely transfer a patient. That heightens the risk of accidents through coordinating problems and inefficient staff usage. That’s why floor hoists allow one caregiver to do the transfer alone, freeing up staff time to complete other things and improving the overall productivity of care.
- Reduces Patient Anxiety and Confusion
Many patients with limited mobility experience anxiety when being transferred, especially if they have cognitive impairments like dementia. A floor hoist provides a predictable and consistent experience, helping to reduce confusion and stress during the transfer process. The support from the sling and steady movement of the hoist reassures patients, making them feel safe and supported.
- Adaptable to Various Settings
Floor hoists are versatile and can be used in various environments, from hospitals to home care settings. They can be moved around easily, and many models come with adjustable features to accommodate different transfer needs, such as moving patients to a bathtub or onto a wheelchair. This adaptability makes floor hoists a valuable investment that can address diverse mobility challenges in various settings.
Complies with Health and Safety Regulations
Health organisations and safety agencies worldwide, including OSHA, advocate using mechanical aids like floor hoists to prevent injuries among healthcare workers and improve patient safety. Many facilities are required by health and safety standards to use floor hoists. Following such guidelines diminishes legal risks, fosters a good treatment climate, and clarifies to all how much importance the doctors take the disease and patients.
Types of Floor Hoists and When to Use Them
There are several floor hoists, each tailored for specific transfer needs. Choosing the right one can further enhance safety and ease of use:
- Standard Floor Hoists:
These are suitable for basic transfers, like moving from a bed to a chair.
- Sit-to-Stand Hoists:
For patients who can bear some weight but need support to stand, these hoists help maintain independence while providing support.
- Bariatric Floor Hoists:
Built to accommodate higher weight capacities, these hoists provide comfort and safety for bariatric patients.
Conclusion
Floor hoists are a vital means of safe and comfortable patient transfers for those patients with limited mobility. This drastically reduces the caregiver’s risk of injury, improves patients’ comfort and optimises the caregiver’s work. A floor hoist invests in safety, compliance and dignity for patients and caregivers, whether in or outside a healthcare facility. Thus, floor hoists are not a luxury but a gold standard in patient mobility support.
