Successful Implementation of Ceiling-Mounted Lift Systems

Abstract

Rehabilitation nurses are well aware of the risks for musculoskeletal injuries related to patient handling tasks. Repetitive lifting, turning, and repositioning of patients with mobility limitations can take a toll on the nurse. This article chronicles integration of ceiling lift technology for patient-handling tasks into nursing practice on a spinal cord injury inpatient unit.

A Process for the Selection of a Patient Handling Ceiling Lift Manufacturer

“…This bill specifies that the Secretary of Labor propose a standard on safe patient handling and injury prevention that would require the use of engineering controls to perform lifting, transferring, and repositioning patients and eliminate manual patient handling. Studies comparing floor lifts with ceiling lifts report significantly fewer caregiver injuries when using ceiling lifts (Weinel, 2008). Multiple studies have reported that the use of ceiling-mounted lifts reduced the perceived risk of injury and discomfort among caregivers and patients (Engst, Chhokar, Miller, & Yassi, 2004).…”

Prevention of Work‐related Musculoskeletal Injuries in Rehabilitation Nursing

“…Considerable research evidence exists on ergonomics, use of mechanical lifts, and zero lift policy (Li et al., ; Nelson et al., ; Rockefellar, ; Silverwood & Haddock, ; Weinel, ). With the advancement of technology, many safe patient lift products, such as ceiling lifts, are available in the nursing work environment.…”

“…As Nelson and Baptiste note, “there is no one solution or ‘fix’ likely to be successful across all units in a facility” (p. 368). Although a couple of articles have used a rehabilitation unit as an example, investigators have not delineated this specialty from other nursing work environments (Nelson et al., ; Weinel, ). Therefore, evidence‐based practice inputs are essential for implementation of safe patient handling programs.…”

Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation of the Lift-assist Device during Jackhammering Task

“…Jobs in other industries that involve repetitive lifting, such as automotive and health care, also have high rates of musculoskeletal disorders similar to construction [13,14]. Over the years, researchers have proposed various lift-assist devices to aid lifting of heavy materials, patients, etc., and these have been effective at limiting the physiological cost of the task [15,16]. In tasks that require lifting on the worksite, the construction industry could potentially benefit from such a device.…”