TRANSFERRING THE PATIENT
SECTION 5—TRANSFERRING THE PATIENT
WARNING
DO NOT attempt any transfer of a patient without approval of the patient's physician, nurse, or medical assistant.
DO NOT move the patient if the sling is not properly connected to the attachment points of the stand up lift. Check that the sling is properly connected to the attachment points prior to lifting a patient. If any attachments are not properly in place, correct the problem. When the sling is elevated a few inches off the stationary surface and before moving the patient, check again to make sure that all sling attachments are secure. If any attachments are not properly in place, lower the patient back onto the stationary surface and correct this problem - otherwise, injury or damage may occur.
Adjustments for safety and comfort should be made before moving the patient. The patient's arms should be outside the straps.
Before positioning the legs of the stand up lift around the patient, make sure the patient’s feet are out of the way of the footplate, otherwise injury can occur.
DO NOT use slings and stand up lifts of different manufacturers. Invacare slings are made specifically for use with Invacare stand up lifts. Otherwise, injury or damage may occur.
The legs of the stand up lift MUST be in the maximum open position before lifting the patient for optimum stability and safety. If the patient is in a sling and it becomes necessary to move through a narrow passage, close the legs of the stand up lift only as long as it takes to move through the passage. When the stand up lift is through the passage, return the legs to the maximum open position. If it is necessary to close the legs to maneuver the stand up lift under a bed, close the legs only as long as it takes to position the stand up lift over the patient and lift the patient off the surface of the bed. When the legs of the stand up lift are no longer under the bed, return the legs to the maximum open position.
DO NOT roll caster base over objects such as carpet, raised carpet bindings, door frames, or any uneven surfaces or obstacles that would create an imbalance of the lift during transfer of a patient suspended in the lift sling. This could cause the lift to tip over. Use the mast handle at all times to push or pull the lift.
Be sure to check the sling attachments each time the sling is removed and replaced to ensure that it is properly attached before the patient is removed from a surface.
NOTE: Invacare recommends that two assistants be used for all lifting preparation and transferring to/from procedures; however, our equipment will permit proper operation by one assistant. The use of one assistant is based on the evaluation of the health care professional for each individual case.