As a person loses his ability to move independently, he sometimes needs assistance getting from one place to another. One way to help the person move about is by using a patient hoist lift, otherwise known as a hoyer lift. A hoyer lift is a mobility aid that lifts a person from one spot and transfers him to another. It is a safe way to move because it helps prevent injuries to both the person in the lift and the caregiver.
Instructions
1. Discuss the transfer with the person you are planning to move. Inform him that he will get moved from one position to another and how you plan to move him. Ask him if he has any questions or concerns about the transfer. Show the patient the equipment if he has not used the lift before.
2. Position the sling behind the person you plan to transfer. The sling is a device that will hold the patient in the air while you move him from one point to another. The sling should be positioned under the person's arms straight down her back and crossed under her legs. Check the sling before you transfer the person to ensure that it is not twisted or uncomfortable.
3. Connect the sling to the patient hoist lifting device. The sling will have loops that connect to the hoyer lift. There are four sets of loops consisting of two sets of loops at the top of the sling and two sets of loops at the bottom of the sling. Once the sling is connected to the lift and the person starts to transfer up it should look like the person is sitting in the sling.
4. Direct the lift during the transfer. Most patient lifts come with electronic devices that let you direct if the person needs to go up or down. Some lifts are manual and you will have to pump a lever to lift the person up and down.
5. Place the person you are transferring in the new position. Once he is settled you can remove the sling from the lift and remove the person from the sling. To remove the person from the sling, lean her forward and pull the sling out from under her. Adjust the person so that she is comfortable, and move the lift system out of the way.
Tags: hoyer lift, person from, sets loops, from sling, lift person, patient hoist
