What are the Benefits of Free-Standing Hoists?

Although fixed hoists provide the most security of use and portable hoists are also popular in aged care facilities and similar spaces, there are a number of benefits to free standing hoists depending upon your situation.

Free-standing hoists are hoists that do not require ceiling rails to be installed in order for them to be used.  Free-standing hoists (as pictured) require some assembly, but in a few short minutes are able to transfer patients securely and comfortably in any environment. They are easily moved to allow for a wide variety of transfer needs.

The portability of these hoists is the main benefit.  A free-standing hoist allows a person requiring mobility aid to be free to travel anywhere at any time.  There is a serious shortage of accommodation with built-in hoists available, so free-standing hoists are the only solution for those with an adventurous spirit, or whose work or family require them to travel. 

Free-standing hoists stocked by CHS Healthcare are easily assembled and disassembled – often in less than ten minutes without tools.  Many free-standing hoists are very light-weight to serve just this purpose.  Our most popular hoist, the Waverley Glen FST300 weighs just 21.5kgs, with no individual component weigh more than 8kg.  Most models fit easily into a carry bag, which simply makes them a part of your luggage.

Free-standing hoists are also good for temporary use, or in situations where a fixed hoist or ceiling rails cannot be installed such as in rental properties and other forms of short-term accommodation.  They are easily stored away when not in use, as opposed to some of the more intrusive built in models.

Some free-standing hoists have an SWL of up to 180kg, so choose your model carefully based on this.  Consider your purpose in buying this kind of hoist and if unsure, ask the experts at CHS Healthcare to make recommendations about the right kind of hoist for you.

What is the PLR? Get your hoist:bed ratio right for your residents and staff

In order to protect carers – as well as the people in care, we need to ensure that the right equipment is available in all facilities.

CHS Healthcare works with hospitals, physiotherapists, community centres and aged care facilities to ensure the best choice and proper installation of ceiling hoists and accessories across Australia.

In many aged care facilities, portable hoists are an excellent choice as they allow for flexibility of use.  Once the ceiling rails are installed, a portable hoist can be used in a variety of areas.  Our most recommended portable hoist is the Etac Molift Nomad.  Used in conjunction with a trolley and our patented Flexi-Link Connection system, a safe and easy connection between the ceiling rail and the portable hoist is possible in less than 10 seconds.

We receive many queries as to how many Nomads we recommend per facility.  In working on a number of projects across the country, including the Benetas Aged Care Facility as well as the Australian Unity Carlton Wellbeing Centre, we have determined what we call a Patient Lifting Ratio – an optimum number of portable hoists per patient in a facility.  This number of hoists is based upon the number needed to allow carers to do their job safely – without having to undertake dangerous lifting practices in emergencies – and to allow patients safe and timely attention.  No-one should have to wait for long periods until hoists are available.

CHS Healthcare recommends one portable Nomad hoist for every 7 bedrooms in an aged care facility.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Nomad hoist, and ensuring that your facility has the right patient lifting ratio for staff and people in care, contact CHS Healthcare today. We recommend the necessary products and accessories to bring you up-to-date and assist with installation and training so that your team knows how to use our products safely and efficiently.  Send through a query on our website or call us today on 1300 789 420.

Caring for the Carers - Getting the Right Hoists to Make Workplaces Safe

Being a carer - whether it be in a hospital, an aged care facility or even in the home - can be a physically demanding job.  But to be there for the people we care for, we have to look after ourselves as well.  We have to make sure our work processes support and promote good health for everyone involved.

In the workplace, Worksafe regulations ensure that basic safety procedures are in place.  But no matter how well-versed we are in the techniques of safe lifting, we often need the right products to support our safety.  While fixed hoists are the safest, it’s sometimes unviable for hospitals and hospices to have a hoist installed in every room.  In terms of portable hoists, the Etac Molift Nomad is a popular choice, as it has excellent safety features. The Nomad uses the safe and efficient CHS  Healthcare Flexi-Link Connection system with a spring-loaded latch that clicks into place whenever it is operation carries weight.  This ensures both the user and the patient are safe during lifts.

True to its name, the Nomad is easily transported. The design includes handles at the top. It weighs just 6.8 kilograms, but has a safe working load of up to 230kg or 255kg.  It also uses light and sound alerts to indicate when the battery is in need of charging. When it does need charging.

With bariatric care becoming an increasing concern, you may also need some hoists that offer an even greater safe working load.  The Waverley Glen P600 offers the greatest capacity to bear weight of our portable hoists, lifting up to 274 kilograms with confidence.  Both products are able to be transported from room to room with one of our CHS Healthcare Floor Transport Trolleys. These were designed to support OH&S standards for nurses, carers and occupational therapists to prevent back injuries.

If you need greater weight bearing capacity than this, a fixed hoist will need to be installed.  The Waverley Glen C1000 has the highest SWL (450kg) in our range, allowing patients of all sizes to be transported with ease and respect.

Make sure your equipment protects those who need it, and those who use it. CHS Healthcare will look after both clients and their carers. Have a look here at our recent project to redevelop the Box Hill Hospital.  This showcases the best in ceiling hoist design, incorporating fixed and portable hoists incorporating more than 420 individual rail systems.