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.

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. 

CHS - Helping Preserve Dignity and Activity in your Golden Years

After a full life and many years of contributing to the community, it can be disheartening when our bodies begin no longer rise to the challenge of remaining as active and mobile as we have always been.

A few simple items from CHS Healthcare can make all the difference as we age, allowing us to face and conquer the mobility issues that result from long and rich lives.

Initially, as you experience minor mobility issues, installing a series of grab rails can ensure safety in the home and other areas.  These may be particularly important in bathing areas where wet, slippery floors can be a hazard.  For increased safety, it is worth keeping an eye out on our website for our new range of baths from Astor Bannerman.  Many of these have terrific features such as the opening side doors of the Vanna Hi-Lo Bath which make getting in and out of the bath much easier for both patients and carers.

If hoists are required, our most popular hoist with flexible usage options is the Etac Motolift Nomad.  This portable hoist is safe and easy to use, especially when partnered with our patented CHS Flexi-Link connection system. A few easy steps and the Flexi-Link Head automatically locks into place when the wand fitting is removed. The Nomad can move between rooms easily when rail systems cannot flow through the home completely.  It is an ideal product for both private homes and institutions, it can be found on our website by clicking here (insert link).

If you are unsure as to what your need are - whether it be in the home or in a community facility, why not ask our designers? Simply use the CHS App on your smartphone to upload photographs of your existing space and tell us your mobility needs.  You will receive timely, personalised feedback on the products that will make your life easier, as well as the lives of patients and loved ones.

Finding the Right Sling for Your Needs

One of the most crucial elements of comfortable patient lifting is ensuring you have the right sling.

Recently, CHS Healthcare published a white paper on choosing the right sling.  We offered our clients excellent advice on safety as well as affordability.

In ensuring that a sling is appropriate for your needs - or for the needs of a person in care, there are three factors to weigh up:

•    The weight of the patient  - slings come in a variety of sizes to support patients - whether they be young children or bariatric patients.  One size sling does not always fit all.

•    The status of the patient - does your patient have head and trunk stability? Muscle tone? Do you you need to work around an amputation?  A range of slings exist to support patients with different levels of mobility.

•    The needs for lifting - what position is the patient in, and what position are you moving them to?Sitting to sitting? Recumbent to recumbent or sitting to recumbent?  This means looking at where you are moving them from, to where you are moving them to.

CHS Healthcare stocks a wide range of slings to meet the diverse needs of people requiring different kinds of mobility aid.  Here are just a few of the options available to you:

Our most basic sling is the general purpose sling, which is available in six sizes.  This is effective in most settings and under many circumstances when patients have some upper body control.  It has additional leg padding for comfort and is easy to fit.

For individuals who need extra comfort, we also stock a customisable Comfort Sling range in sizes small - extra-large. These can be individually fitted and modified for the individual user.  Etac Molift, famous for the portable Nomad hoist, have also designed a sling range built for comfort known as the Optimum Sling Range.

The Waverley Glen Deluxe sling range is known for it’s durability and fit.  The material is hard-wearing nylon and polyester, which dries easily if used in wet areas due to the lack of metal parts.  They also provide a good basic multipurpose sling, an excellent choice for facilities that require flexible use of their slings.

For physiotherapists we stock a range of walking slings to assist with the rehabilitation of patients with some weight-bearing ability. We also have slings appropriate for patients requiring additional head support, with sensitive skin conditions, younger patients, patients with lower limb amputations and slings specifically designed around toileting and bathing. We also stock disposable slings for the greatest control over hygiene and infection.

For more information, take a look at our full range of slings on our website.  In addition, always make sure that all staff or carers are effectively trained to use the sling you have chosen.