How to Fold a Hoyer Sling

When healthcare workers must lift a heavy, bedridden patient, a Hoyer lift is the common way to accomplish this task. A Hoyer lift can safely and effectively lift a patient using a boom and a hydraulic lift that attaches to a fabric sling. In order to use the Hoyer lift, you must first fold the Hoyer sling and place it under the patient's body.

Things You'll Need

• Hoyer lift
• Hoyer sling

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Instructions

• 1

  Fold the Hoyer sling in half lengthwise. You should now have a folded edge on the right side of the Hoyer sling and an open edge on the left side of the Hoyer sling.

• 2

  Grasp the top open edge on the left side of the Hoyer sling and fold it back to the folded edge on the right side.

• 3

  Hold the Hoyer sling carefully in this folded position and place the folded Hoyer sling beside the patient as the patient is lying on his back in bed.

• 4

  Lower the side rail of the bed where you are standing and roll the patient away from you to expose half of the bed.

• 5

  Place one hand on the patient (who is lying on his side) to hold him in place and position the folded Hoyer sling along the patient's body. Snug the prepared folded edge of the Hoyer sling as close to the patient's body as you can.

• 6

  Roll the patient back onto his back and replace the side rail in the up position.

• 7

  Walk to the other side of the bed and lower the side rail.

• 8

  Roll the patient away from you toward the other side of the bed this time. With the patient rolled away from you the other way, you should be able to see the edge of the folded Hoyer sling beneath the patient's body.

• 9

  Grasp the top edge of the sling only and pull. Do not pull the folded edge of the Hoyer sling. Pull the top edge of the sling toward you until you have the sling unfolded and positioned properly under the patient.

• 10

  Roll the patient back onto his back and raise the side rail again. Begin attaching the sling to the Hoyer lift to lift the patient.