Transfers are a key part of daily care, and the right equipment can ensure they are carried out safely for both the individual and the caregiver. An Occupational Therapist should be consulted to assess transfer needs and risks and to recommend appropriate equipment.
Full Body Hoist
A full body hoist is used for individuals who are unable to weight-bear. It enables the person to be fully supported when being lifted from one position to another.
For most individuals, in most situations, the Moving and Assisting Risk Assessment will determine that this manoeuvre requires two suitably trained carers to operate the hoist and to move the individual safely. In certain circumstances, (for example, if the individual is able to assist with the manoeuvre because they are able to move their legs away from the boom, or because they can operate the hoist control themselves while the care staff ensure that they do not sustain an injury, AND the hoist is easy to manoeuvre by one person because the person is light in weight and predictable and the floor covering is laminate – NB these are only examples), the Moving and Assisting Risk Assessment may determine that one carer is sufficient. Please bear in mind, however, that should an injury occur, you would be required to justify the fact that you deemed it safe to use one carer for the manoeuvre. If this was not determined by a robust Risk Assessment and an injury to the person or to a member of staff is sustained, you and/or your organisation may be liable for unsafe Moving and Assisting practices. To be clear, it should NEVER be the case that only one carer is used due to a lack of availability of suitably trained staff, or because of time pressures. The manoeuvre should always be properly risk assessed.
- LOLER Compliance: This equipment falls under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and must undergo a thorough examination every six months by a qualified professional to ensure safety.
- Staff need to be trained to use the Full Body Hoist in their Moving and Assisting training, and should review suitability regularly, especially after any change in condition of the individual.
Standing Hoist
A standing hoist is appropriate for individuals who can weight-bear but require support to move from sitting to standing. This equipment promotes more active participation in transfers and usually the individual needs to have use of both upper limbs to hold the handles, for this to be safe for them.
As with the full body hoist, for most individuals, in most situations, the Moving and Assisting Risk Assessment will determine that this manoeuvre requires two suitably trained carers to operate the standing hoist and to move the individual safely. In certain circumstances, (for example, if the individual is able to assist with the manoeuvre, or AND the hoist is easy to manoeuvre by one person because the person is light in weight and predictable and the floor covering is laminate – NB these are only examples), the Moving and Assisting Risk Assessment may determine that one carer is sufficient. Please bear in mind, however, that should an injury occur, you would be required to justify the fact that you deemed it safe to use one carer for the manoeuvre. If this was not determined by a robust Risk Assessment and an injury to the person or to a member of staff is sustained, you and/or your organisation may be liable for unsafe Moving and Assisting practices. To be clear, it should NEVER be the case that only one carer is used due to a lack of availability of suitably trained staff, or because of time pressures. The manoeuvre should always be properly risk assessed.
- LOLER Compliance: This equipment falls under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and must undergo a thorough examination every six months by a qualified professional to ensure safety.
- Staff need to be trained to use the Standing Hoist in their Moving and Assisting training, and should review suitability regularly, especially after any change in condition of the individual.
MoLift/ReTurn with Belt
These are taking the place of Rotastands as they are much safer and a similar cost.
This is a non-electric stand aid that functions similarly to a Rotastand.
When used with a belt, it facilitates safe pivot transfers and can be ideal for individuals who are unable to achieve a step around transfer and who cannot achieve a sit to stand using the normal method of pushing with the hands on the armrests of the chair, but who do have enough upper body strength to pull themselves into standing.
The belt supports a person who is unable to maintain a standing position for as long as it takes to achieve the transfer, enabling them to remain safe throughout.
- Staff need to be trained to use the Molift/Return in their Moving and Assisting training, and should review suitability regularly, especially after any change in condition of the individual.
Sara Stedy
The Sara Stedy is a type of sit-to-stand transfer aid designed to support individuals who have some weight-bearing ability but require assistance to stand and transfer safely. It promotes dignity and independence by allowing individuals to actively participate in their transfer while reducing the physical strain on care staff. It can be used for transporting short distances (i.e. from the bed in the bedroom to the toilet.
Some models have legs that open out to accommodaye a wider chair, and there are a cuople of different types of ‘seat’ pads, some which sipmly fold out behind the person and others which swivel allowing more room for wider hips.
When can a Sara Stedy be used?
The Sara Stedy is appropriate for use when an individual:
- Can weight-bear through at least one leg
- Has sufficient upper body strength to hold on to the handles
- Can follow simple instructions
- Requires support for short transfers (e.g. from bed to chair, chair to commode)
It is particularly useful for:
- Individuals with reduced mobility who are at risk of falls during stand transfers
- Encouraging active participation in movement as part of an enabling approach
- Reducing manual handling risk for carers
When the Sara Stedy should not be used:
Avoid using a Sara Stedy if the individual:
- Is non-weight-bearing (yes 2 hyphens)
- Cannot engage with the task or does not follow instructions
- Has significant postural instability or pain that is worsened by standing
A risk assessment and Moving and Assisting care plan should always guide use.
- Staff must be trained in the safe use of the Sara Stedy in their Moving and Assisting Training, and should review suitability regularly, especially after any change in condition of the individual.
