Patient Lift Slings

How to Choose the Best Lifting Sling for Patient Safety

Patients who suffer from diminished, limited, or no mobility may require an assisted transfer to get in/out of a chair or bed or into/out of a wheelchair. This can be achieved by manually lifting or sliding the patient on a transfer board, but this can be dangerous to the caregiver and patient alike. Besides the obvious risk of falls, caregivers can injure themselves during these transfers. So, how do we eliminate or minimize the risk to both the patient and caregiver? Patient lifts are a great way to avoid this danger, and these lifts utilize slings to get the job done. So, what should you consider when selecting a sling? Visit HPFY for a wide range of lifts and patient transfer slings for every patient lift/transfer.

What Exactly Is a Lifting Sling?

For anyone who needs to transfer of patient or a loved one, doing it safely is the main concern. Injuries can easily occur if a transfer is not done properly and are not limited to just the person being transferred. Caregivers can easily injure their back or another body part if the transfer is not done properly. Your best option is a patient lift to safely protect everyone involved. These lifts use a patient sling. Simply put, a patient sling is an accessory to help safely and comfortably transfer someone from one place/position to another, supporting their weight and providing stability during the transfer. These slings are part of systems such as: 

• Hoyer lifts
• Sit-to-stand lifts
• Power lifts
• Manual lifts
• Ceiling lifts
• Bariatric lifts

Your patient sling could be used to facilitate a transfer from a sitting to a standing position, from a bed to a wheelchair, or into a bathtub. They can also be used to safely raise someone from the floor who has fallen. Avoiding falls is their primary use since falls can lead to fractures or even hospital stays due to injury.

Types of Patient Slings

As you can imagine, each individual patient has their own specific needs, and this can also apply to lifting slings. Depending upon the level of necessity for each transfer, there can be different types of patient transfer slings available. Some different types of slings include:

1. Full Body Sling

This type of patient transfer sling is typically square-shaped and supports the entire body with the patient’s arms inside the straps. It can have a higher back for head support and offers full body support. and are mostly universal and work with most lifts.

2. Split Leg Sling

The design of this type of lifting sling has wide straps that loop through the legs. This prevents the knees from being pressed together, keeping the patient’s weight evenly distributed and making it comfortable for both patient and caregiver.

3. U-Shape Sling

Designed for patients who need to be transferred for toileting, this sling can be left under the patient while using the toilet. It crosses under the patient’s legs and doesn’t go under their bottom, but does not come with standard head support. Since they are mostly used for bathroom transfers, they are also known as toilet or hygiene slings.

4. Universal Sling

These are similar to U-shaped patient slings and cross under the patient’s legs while providing stability and evenly distributing patient weight. Still, most importantly, they are easy to use for caregivers. They are compatible with most lifts, appropriate for a wide range of patient conditions, and easy for caregivers to position properly.

5. Sit-to-Stand Back Strap

For patients who only need assistance standing from a seated position, a sit-to-stand lift utilizes this strap. The simple, two-attachment points support the middle and lower parts of the body, adding a layer of safety to ensure the patient stays upright and positioned properly. These are great for transfers from a seated to a standing position from a chair or a commode.

Other specialty patient lifts can include those made for pediatric or bariatric patients. Understanding the differences and benefits of each type of patient lifting sling can help you match the type of sling for better patient transfer techniques.

Where can I buy the right patient lift sling online?

HPFY is your one-stop shop for all your health and fitness needs, including some of the most popular patient lifts and slings. Explore our catalog today to find all that you need to lift your loved ones safely and securely. 

 

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