Instructions for Using a Hoyer Lift

Hospital patients sometimes need to be transferred from one location to another. However, every time a caregiver or assistant manually lifts and moves a patient, it can potentially cause back injuries or risk the chance of a patient falling. Hoyer lifts, also referred to as patient lifts, are composed of two basic parts - the lift which transfers the patient, and the sling which holds the patient. Hoyer lifts make patient handling situations safer for caregivers and assistants. They also help to decrease the risk of a patient falling, while making it more convenient for them as well.

Things You'll Need

• Hoyer lift
• Sling
• Assistants

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Instructions

• 1

  Raise the side rails of the bed and ask the patient to hold onto them with both hands. As the patient holds onto the rails, raise the level of the bed to the highest position. This helps reduce strain on the caregiver's back before transferring the patient onto the sling that is attached to the Hoyer lift.

• 2

  Move the Hoyer lift next to the patient. Make sure the legs of the base are opened and locked. Then use the steering handle to push the lift into the right position for lifting the patient.

• 3

  Ask the patient to roll on his/her side. Place the sling under the patient's back and ask him/her to lie back again. Loop the leg straps of the sling around the patient's legs. Attach the straps of the sling to the overhead cradle of the Hoyer lift. Raise the patient off the bed until his/her buttocks are just above the mattress. Have another assistant grasp the patient's legs and turn the patient so his/her legs dangle off the bed. The patient should now in a sitting position and ready to be transferred to a different location.

• 4

  Move the patient away from the bed by maneuvering the Hoyer lift's steering handle. Make sure the patient is facing the assistant who is operating the lift. This way, the assistant can ensure the patient's safety until the transfer is completed.

• 5

  Complete the patient transfer. For example, put the patient over the seat of a wheelchair while having another assistant make sure the wheelchair brakes are locked. While the assistant holds the wheelchair handles, lower the patient into the chair. Remove the sling once the patient is successfully and safely seated in the chair.