Physical demands on support staff in many areas of healthcare, from acute care to residential aged care, is greater than it has ever been. Support staff require particular skill in safely coordinating the assistance of several staff members to reposition or transfer a resident.
In the past, the reliance on the physical effort of nursing staff and support workers to perform manual transfers has created significant risks of injury for staff. The introduction of systematic and engineered safe patient handling systems have allowed care environments to improve the dignity and safety of client transfers and reduced the risk of injury for staff.
The ‘Hidden’ Costs of Manual Handling
There are a number of injuries related to manual handling and people moving that are considered ‘hidden’ because the time between the event and the development of symptoms and diagnosis of the injury may be some time apart. Injuries include musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and chronic shoulder injuries, and are a major factor in staff turnover and burnout in health care.
The risks are equally present for care recipients. For a transfer to be wholly reliant on the physical effort of one or more people, the risk of accidental slips, awkward pressure points and skin tears becomes a reality.
Relying on mechanical and assistive transfers dramatically reduce the risks associated with uncoordinated and manual transfers.
Core Equipment Solutions Transforming Mobility
To implement a comprehensive safe client transfer strategy, a range of specialised equipments options are available to suit varying levels of client support.
Overhead Ceiling Hoists
Overhead track lifts use ceiling mounted tracks to move people over long distances. Ceiling mounted lifts take up little floor space and eliminate the strength required to maneuver heavy lifts over obstacles. Better ceiling lifts allow caregivers to perform transfers while holding and securing the user.
Floor Hoists
Floor lifts use a mobile base with lifting arms to lift and transfer people. They are designed with a set of adjustable legs that open to fit around chair or wheelchair footrests. They are flexible solutions for facilities with transfers that occur across multiple rooms.
Stand and Transfer Aids
Sit-to-stand aids allow people to use their normal movement patterns to rise from a sitting to a standing position. They also help people with a partial weight-bearing capacity to rise from a chair and stand safely.
In-bed Aids
Lateral transfer and in-bed turning aids allow bed-bound caregivers to move a patient to alleviate pressure sores and help the caregiver avoid muscular strain.
Broader Impact on Care Environments
Safeguard Caregiver Well-being
When staff are equipped with safe transfer technologies, workplace injuries and incidences of staff sick-leave diminish. Staff retention also improves. Care staff are able to direct their time, energy, and attention to emotional and clinical support, rather than to the cause and effect of caregiver fatigue.
Elevate Patient Autonomy and Comfort
Safe transfers significantly reduce anxiety levels for patients/residents being moved. The use of motor-controlled, jolt-free movements, provide a transfer with smooth, continuous movement. Maintaining safe transfer technologies also allow care recipients to participate in routine activities of daily living, and social and hygiene care activities.
Universal Design Across Care Environments
Whether situated in an Emergency Department (ED), a Community Aquatics Center (CAC), a Special Design Adaptive (SDA) Unit, or a private home, care facilities can benefit from the use of safe transfer technologies. Leading suppliers (i.e. CHS Health care) assist various care facilities by providing consultative design services, the appropriate mobility and transfer technologies, as well as maintenance to ensure the continued operational safety of the equipment.
Most Efficient Ways to Incorporate Safe Transfer Protocols
- Conduct individual assessments: Determine the level of mobility and cognitive awareness of the individual, and ascertain their physical requirements to match them with the appropriate type of sling and lift mechanism.
- Concentrate on Hands-on Staff Training: Caregiver training on sling fitting, operation of hand controls and safe maneuvering techniques is essential.
- Inspect and Maintain Equipment: Regular inspections and maintenance of equipment ensure that national safety standards are met and equipment components are in optimal working condition.
- Select Appropriate Configurations: Determine whether the long term/short term needs of the service require fixed installations, portable lift systems or flexible equipment rental.
Conclusion
Transitioning to modern patient handling technologies is vital to the development of a safe, sustainable and compassionate healthcare service. Embracing new technologies is a leap of faith, but the evidence suggests that care service providers are becoming safer through the transfer of patients and clientele, and supporting them in a more dignified manner.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, clinical, occupational health and safety, or engineering advice. Patient handling requirements, equipment suitability, sling selection, staff training obligations, inspection and maintenance standards, and national safety regulations vary by jurisdiction, facility, and individual patient circumstances, and may change without notice. Equipment must be selected, installed, and maintained in accordance with manufacturer instructions, relevant standards, and a qualified clinical and manual-handling assessment. Individual assessments of patient mobility and cognitive awareness are essential before any transfer. Details about specific suppliers (including CHS Health care) and their consultative design, equipment, and maintenance services are based on the provider’s own statements and have not been independently verified; their mention does not imply endorsement. Readers should verify all equipment specifications, training requirements, and compliance obligations directly with qualified professionals and their chosen supplier before implementing any patient handling program. The author and publisher disclaim any liability for decisions made based on this content.
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