Understanding Hoists Used in Care Homes

Did you know that accidents involving moving and handling people are a big problem in UK care settings? This is why understanding hoists and their types is important for safe patient care.

In fact, the Health and Safety Executive reports that nearly 40% of all accidents in health and social care are related to moving and handling tasks.

You can check the stats of hoist accidents in care on NHS Website.

Many of these accidents could be prevented with proper equipment and training. One important piece of equipment that helps reduce these risks is the hoist.

Let’s learn more about hoists and how they’re used in home care.

What is a hoist or lift used for?

A hoist, also called a lift, is a tool that helps move people who have trouble moving on their own. It’s like a special machine that can pick someone up and move them safely from one place to another.

Hoists are super helpful for people who can’t walk or stand easily, or for those who need help getting in and out of bed, the bathtub, or a chair.

Hoists make things easier and safer for both the person being moved and the caregiver. They reduce the risk of falls and injuries that can happen when trying to move someone without help.

Hoists are especially useful for people who are very heavy or have limited mobility.

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What types of hoists are used in home care?

In home care, there are three main types of hoists:

1. Wheeled or mobile hoists
2. Stationary hoists
3. Ceiling hoists

Each type has its own benefits and is used in different situations. Let’s look at each one in more detail. You can also check how to choose the right hoist available in the market.

What are wheeled or mobile hoists?

Wheeled or mobile hoists are the most common type used in home care. They have wheels, which means they can be moved around easily.

These hoists usually have a base that spreads out to make them stable, and an arm that goes up and down to lift the person.

Mobile hoists are great because:

• They can be moved from room to room
• They don’t need to be installed permanently
• They can be stored away when not in use

However, they do need some space to move around, and the floor needs to be flat and clear of obstacles.

What is a stationary hoist?

A stationary hoist is fixed in one place. It doesn’t move around like a mobile hoist.

These hoists are usually attached to the wall or floor and are best for specific areas like next to a bed or bath.

Stationary hoists are good because:

• They’re very stable
• They don’t take up floor space when not in use
• They’re always ready to use in that spot

But remember, they can only be used in the area where they’re installed.

What is a ceiling hoist?

A ceiling hoist is attached to the ceiling and runs on a track. It can move along this track to different parts of a room or even between rooms if the track is set up that way.

Ceiling hoists are great because:

• They don’t take up any floor space
• They can cover a large area
• They’re always ready to use
• They’re very smooth and comfortable for the person being moved

The downside is that they need to be professionally installed and can’t be easily moved to a different house.

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Helpful Post: Importance of Hoist Training For Carers

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What alternatives are there for hoists in home care?

While hoists are very useful, there are other tools that can help with moving and handling in home care:

1. Transfer boards: These are smooth boards that help someone slide from one surface to another, like from a bed to a wheelchair.
2. Stand aids: These help people who can stand but need support to move from sitting to standing.
3. Turntables: These are round platforms that help someone turn while standing, making it easier to move from one seat to another.
4. Handling belts: These are special belts worn by the person being moved, giving the caregiver something to hold onto for support.
5. Slide sheets: These reduce friction, making it easier to move someone in bed.

Remember, the right tool depends on the person’s needs and abilities.

What to check before choosing/getting a hoist?

Before getting a hoist, it’s important to think about:

1. The person’s needs: How much help do they need? What kind of movements do they need to make?
2. The home layout: Is there enough space for a mobile hoist? Could a ceiling hoist be installed?
3. The caregiver’s abilities: Can they operate the hoist safely?
4. Cost: Hoists can be expensive. Check if any financial help is available.
5. Maintenance: Who will take care of the hoist and make sure it’s working properly?
6. Training: Will the caregivers get proper training to use the hoist safely?

It’s always best to get advice from a healthcare professional, like an occupational therapist, before choosing a hoist.

Minimising hoist accidents through training and types of training that helps

Using a hoist safely is very important to avoid accidents. Proper people moving and handling training is key to ensuring hoists are used correctly.

Here are some types of training that help:

1. Basic hoist operation: This teaches how to set up and use the hoist properly.
2. Safe moving and handling techniques: This covers how to position someone correctly in the hoist and move them safely.
3. Risk assessment: This helps caregivers spot potential dangers and avoid them.
4. Equipment checks: This teaches how to check the hoist is working properly before each use.
5. Emergency procedures: This covers what to do if something goes wrong while using the hoist.
6. Person-centered care: This reminds caregivers to always think about the comfort and dignity of the person being moved.

Training should be hands-on, with plenty of practice using the actual equipment.

It’s also important to have refresher training regularly to keep skills up to date.

Remember, even with the best equipment, accidents can still happen if it’s not used correctly.

That’s why good training is so important.

Read Blogpost: Five (5) Key Principles of Safer Moving and Handling.

Hoist Accidents and Statistics in the UK

It’s important to know that while hoists are meant to help, accidents can sometimes happen. Let’s look at some recent numbers from the NHS to understand this better:

• From 2014 to 2020, there were between 52 and 114 hoist and sling incidents reported each year. That’s quite a lot!
• Good news: The number of incidents has been going down over the years. In 2014, there were 114 incidents, but in 2020, there were only 52.
• Sling incidents have also decreased. In 2014, there were 41 sling incidents, but in 2020, there were only 8.
• Sadly, some of these incidents resulted in deaths. Between 2014 and 2020, there were 1 to 3 deaths reported each year related to hoists and slings.
• Specifically for slings, deaths have become less common. There were no deaths reported from sling incidents in 2015, 2018, 2020, and the first part of 2021.
• For toilet or hygiene slings, there were only two incidents reported between 2014 and 2021, and thankfully, no deaths.

The main reasons for these accidents were:

1. No fault found with the device (which might mean it wasn’t used correctly)
2. Use error
3. Electrical or mechanical failure
4. Component failure
5. Manufacturing problems
6. Poor instructions for use
7. Material problems
8. Design issues
9. Problems with how different parts work together
10. Maintenance problems

These numbers show us that while hoist accidents still happen, they’re becoming less common. This is probably because people are getting better at using hoists safely. But we still need to be very careful when using hoists and slings.

Remember, most hoist accidents can be prevented. By learning about hoists, using them correctly, and making sure they’re well-maintained, we can help make care at home even safer for everyone.

Conclusion:

Hoists used in care homes are valuable tools that make life easier and safer for people who need help moving. Whether it’s a mobile hoist, stationary hoist, or ceiling hoist, each type has unique benefits.

It’s important to know that while hoists are meant to help, they can sometimes cause accidents if not used properly. So before use, proper training is required as most accidents are as a result of improper use.

By choosing the right hoist, using it correctly, and getting proper training, we can help reduce accidents and make care at home more comfortable for everyone involved.

Remember, safety always comes first when using any kind of moving and handling equipment.

If you require training in moving and handling, please contact our course advisor enquiries@caringforcare.co.uk or tel:01782563333. For individuals who require training please visit our public course page.