Overhead Lift Systems!!$$$??

[rdbakerrn]

Have any of ya'll worked somewhere that utilized overhead lift systems (installed in the ceiling), and if so were their any problems with the system?? Did this benefit your unit?? Did more RN/CNA utilize the equipment more than the mobile lifts we are all used to (if you were lucky), some places do not even provide that??

Pls let me know your thoughts on this and what system your unit currently uses (if any) to help prevent pt and worker injury.

THanks

[nursej22, MSN, RN]

We have ceiling lifts in several rooms, sorry that I don't know the brand name. The goal is to eventually have them in every patient room, but due to cost it is being gradually phased in. Yes, we do use them and they work much better that the portable ones, than often didn't have a charge or there was no space to maneuver them.

It has definitely been a culture change to get everyone to use them, but for the most part they are a great help. A few patients don't like them, but most do, and feel safer when being transferred with a lift.

We also use Hover Mats for transferring pts back and forth from bed to stretcher. PACU uses them for every stretcher.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

I have a friend who looks after someone in their home. They have the overhead lift installed. My friend much prefers it to the Hoyer etc.

As far as safety I find bring a big lift into a room and then having no space to move around in a little dodgy. I would like them but I doubt they would have them in all the rooms.

[rdbakerrn]

wow, I am starting to think not many nurses have worked with this equipment, it is fairly new, ANYONE out there using overhead lifts?? Pls tell me what you think of it!!:paw:

Thanks

[ittybabyRN, RN]

I worked as a PCA on a new cardiac unit that had ceiling lifts installed in every room. To tell you the truth I loved them. It was great for getting patients out of bed that were too weak to walk/too heavy to be supported and up into a chair for a few hours. Also for those same patients enabled them to use a commode instead of having to use a bedpan. For very heavy patients it was a great device in helping to reposition them, move them back up in bed, or lift them for a moment to change the bed. For many weak patients it allowed us to move them up in bed withing sliding them up therefore decreasing their risk of skin breakdown, also took a lot of strain off our backs. They take a few times of using them to get the hang of it but I couldn't imaging working on the floor I did without them.

Hope that helps :-)