New LTC Job!!

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Okay I freaking out right about now! I'm done with training and I'm ready to do my own thing, but there is something I'm not confident about: Getting dead weight up and out of bed with mechanical lift.

I did practice a whole two weeks but I assisted, not actually done it by my self. I hope I do fine. I'll ask for help when I need to. I'm nervous and new at this and hope to become an RN one day. I love to help the residents at my workplace. Any advise is much needed. Thank you in advance :redpinkhe

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What sort of lift are you talking about? Sit-to-stand? Hoyer?

Getting residents lifted up to the side of the bed by yourself to be put into a sit-to-stand just takes time and practice. Doing Hoyers by yourself, though, is not the greatest idea ever.

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Sit to stand lift, I did it Sat and Sun and it wasnt as bad as I thought! Thanks for your response.

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Specializes in LTC.

We don't have sit-to-stand lifts. Are they any faster than hoyers, or are they just better because you can operate them by yourself?

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Im brand spankin new, I dont know the difference between the two. But it was nice, made life simple plus the pt couldnt grab at my shirt this time lol

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The lift has a back support strap with a velcro belt and you simply take it and put it around the pt. There are two hooks that you connect the straps on. The Lift has a cushion shaped for the lower legs to poistion correctly and a place for the feet to stand. Once you lock the lift and press the UP button, they are standing. The lift is on wheels and you wheel them anywhere, but I wouldnt keep the pt on the lift very long b/c the straps could hurt their under arms, I would say thats where the pressure is. I usualy have the pt grab the bars to help keep the presure off, (the bars with the hooks you connect the straps to) It is a great deal of help!

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Specializes in 6 yrs LTC, 1 yr MedSurg, Wound Care.

Fuzzywuzzy-

We can't use them alone at my facility--all lifts are 2-person.

With a sit-to-stand, you sit them over the edge of the bed and the sling goes around their back and under their arms and connects to the lift on each side. Similar to a hoyer, but different. Then you lift them up to a standing position. Their feet go on a little platform (not on the floor) and you turn the lift and put the wheelchair, commode, etc. Under them and sit them back down. It's hydraulic, like a Hoyer.

It takes the back pain out of transferring. ;)

I couldn't get a link off of YouTube, but if you search "Ergolet Lifts" there's a 5:55 video and they use a sit-to-stand at the beginning.

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