The Correct Placement of the Lift Swing on a Hoyer Chrome Hydraulic Lifter

The range of Hoyer medical hydraulic lift products, which are used to securely lift, move and position long-term care patients in hospitals, nursing homes and residences, are manufactured in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, by Joerns Healthcare. The lifts are available in manual and electric hydraulic lift models ranging in price from approximately $500 to more than $2,000 as of November 2011. The lifts are produced in six models: manual lifts, power lifts, stand-up lifts, heavy-duty lifts and bath lifts. To ensure the safety of the person being moved, a caregiver should familiarize herself with the correct position in which to operate the lift swing, also known as the boom arm or lift cradle, on a Hoyer hydraulic lifter before attempting to move a patient. Hoyer lifts can be used to transfer patients weighing up to 400 pounds.

Preparation

• Gather together the equipment you need to move the patient: the hydraulic lift, the sling, and the surface on which you want to place the patient, such as a wheelchair.

Stabilize Lift

• Open the base legs as wide as possible and lock them. This will maximize the stability of the lift. The boom arm of a Hoyer lift is rigid and is not designed to swivel, so when a patient is lifted, his weight needs to be centered in between the lift's legs as the caregiver uses the steering handles to move the lift, patient and boom arm. Never try to move a patient if the boom arm is positioned to the left or right of the base legs.

Attaching the Seat

• Lower the lift arm and attach the sling seat to the lift cradle using the accompanying S-hooks. Lift the patient a few inches off the bed to confirm the hooks are placed properly in the straps or chains the model uses to attach the seat to the lift cradle, and make sure the patient is secure.

Lifting and Moving

• Unlock the lift's legs. Move the lift so the patient's feet can be moved off the bed. Move the lift using the steering handles and move the patient away from the bed. The patient should be facing the caregiver. Once clear of the bed, lower the boom arm to lower the patient's center of gravity and maximize the stability of the lifter.

Complete Positioning

• Move the lifter and position the patient over the target surface. Press the "Down" button on electric lifters or open the control valve on manual models until the patient's feet touch the lifter's base, straddling the center mast. Lower the lift cradle until the patient is comfortably positioned on the surface and detach the S-hooks from the lift cradle. Move the lift away. The sling seat can be left in place or removed depending on what the patient will be doing.