Instructions for Hoyer Lift Transfers

Manually operated and powered Hoyer Lifts assist health care aides transferring patients who are difficult to move. A manually operated patient lift has hydraulic cylinders operated by a hand-pump. Powered lifts use battery packs and a handheld control device. Both models come with guides that outline weight-lifting capacities and safe operation instructions. Aides must receive training on the safe operation of the patient lifts. Two people must always be present when operating a Hoyer Lift.

Prepare

• Raise the bed rails and roll patient onto his side. Fold the sling in half along its length. Ensure all seams are on the outside. They put pressure on skin, leading to skin irritation. Place the lift sling on the bed, with the top edge near the shoulders and the bottom edge near the knees. Tuck it under the patient. Roll the patient onto his other side and straighten the sling out. Center the patient on the sling. Remove all wrinkles to avoid irritating his skin. The legs on Hoyer Lifts spread to accommodate wheelchairs and to stabilize the machine during operation. Spread them as far apart as possible. Use the steering handle to position the lift so the legs under the bed center the boom over the patient's upper abdomen. Use the "down" button on the hand controls to lower the boom on powered patient lifts. On manual models, turn the hydraulic valve control knob to the left to lower the boom. Lower until the chains on the lift bar reach the sling. The chains have "S" hooks attached on the ends. One side of the chain length is short, and the other is long. Either the sling will have webbed straps that slide over the "S" hooks, or it will have a metal bar sewn into the top of the sling. Slip the bar over the "S" hook. The top of the sling hooks to the short end of the chain; the bottom hooks onto the longer end. Attach the bottom of the sling first, then the top. Ensure all hooks are secure.

Lift

• Close the valve control on manual lifts, or use the "up" button on the hand control for powered lifts, and slowly raise the patient. Ensure patient's arms stay inside the sling. To prevent damage to the lift and unnecessary jostling of the patient, use smooth movements while pumping manual lift handles. One aide controls the patient while the other operates the lift. Do not allow the patient to swing. Lift the patient until their buttocks have cleared the bed. Swivel the patient's legs off the bed. Slowly pull the Hoyer Lift away from the bed. Turn the patient to face the aide operating the lift. Position patient's legs so she straddles the lift mast.

Transfer

• While a second aide is controlling the patient, roll the Hoyer Lift away from the bed. Place a wheelchair between the legs of the lift. Lock the brakes on the wheelchair. Use the sling to position the patient over the wheelchair. Open the release valve on a manual patient lift and slowly lower the patient. Choose the "down" arrow on a powered patient lift. To prevent the wheelchair from tipping, pull back on the sling so the patient's hips and back fit tight against the back of the wheelchair. Close the valve on a manual lift. Remove the sling from the chains and roll the Hoyer Lift away from the patient. Adjust the patient's position if needed, tuck the sling around the patient and fasten the wheelchair safety belt around her waist.