Originally posted by gwenith
I meant - sell it to your facility/institution.
The main focus of no -lift is the "slide sheet" /"move tube" this is (would you believe) sail cloth. IT is REALLY slippery cloth that is placed under the patient. You still need to roll the patient but not as far - once rolled you put the slide sheet under them and then you pull the patient into the correct position - we are taught how to do this and minimise the stress on our backs and shoulders. Taking the cloth out again is very easy. We actually have "wardsmen" who turn our patients for us (usually big strapping blokes) but even THEY use the slide sheets. We use hoists - even on vented patients - to get them out of bed and certainly use hoists for bathing etc.
I like the "slide sheet/move tube" idea but have never seen one. Is it useful for lifting those who slide down in bed?
Regarding your "wardsmen' there is an ad recruiting licensed nurses showing smiling young men who look like competative bodybuilders depicting the "lift team".
Once we had an "orderly" called the "night man" who held a 140 pound patient is pelvic traction with an arm onder shoulders and hips while I cleaned her and changed the sheets! He was a strapping young man, strong and caring.
A hoyer lift is a help but some patients are frightened by being suspended in a sling.
LOVE cardiac chairs that can be flat and even with the bed for sliding. Than they convert to an upright or reclining position with the arms up. They also have a removable tray for meals, activities, and can remind patients not to try getting up without help.
I am one fortunate nurse who has worked for decades without a back injury. Two shoulder injuries though. No pain but residual decrease in strength.
I have seen patients >200- 300 pounds with CHF suffer with their feet over the foot of the bed (many diabetic too). I could not pull them up alone. No one was free to help (or in some cases willing).
A lift team would prevent patient suffering, nurse injuries, and allow licensed nurses with injuries to continue at the bedside.
so can't whine too much (altho I sure miss my union). I look forward to my hubby transfering us back out of here....but it will now be harder to leave as I have raised the kiddos here....
Hoyer Lift..
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