1. C Tips for Ceiling Lifts
A guide for safe, effective use of mechanical lifts
Please refer to Sunnybrook Employees Resources, Occupational Health – Ceiling portable life guide
A guide for safe, effective use of mechanical lifts C
Cannot stand to transfer

2. C Patient in Bed Check Medical activity order.
If AAT patient should be considered for hoyer to chair 1x/day
once a patient is hoyered to a chair it should be part of daily mobility plans for level C patients unless contra-indicated
remember to assess patient daily using the standard to optimize mobility (i.e. can the patient achieve level B?)
“Hoyer to Chair” should be documented in the chart, in the Kardex and on the white boards in patient rooms C
Cannot stand to transfer

3. An Interprofessional Approach Using a Ceiling Lift Safely and Effectively
Working in teams: Using a hoyer lift to move a patient from bed to chair, chair to bed is not a therapeutic treatment. It is a practical/safe way to transfer a patient out of and into bed as part of a daily care plan (mobility level C)
General Recommendations:
Prepare for the task (organize environment)
Keep in mind good body mechanics
Two people should be used to operate the lift and guide the patient
“Hoyer to Chair” should be documented in the chart, in the Kardex and on the white boards to optimize interprofessional communication

4. Sling Applications Patient in bed: Patient in a chair:
Adjust bed height to ensure good body mechanics and lower bed rail on your side
Use a backwards weight shift to roll patient towards you
Tuck half of the sling underneath, then roll patient towards the other side
Unroll the sling behind them until it is flat on the bed and position leg pieces
Patient in a chair:
Lean patient forward (if safe), then centre the sling behind the patient with the commode opening at coccyx level
Tuck sling around side of thighs and use the leg pieces to shimmy the sling down
“Remember to communicate with the patient and get them to assist as much as possible”

5. Transferring a Patient from Bed to Chair
Ensure the path is clear and that your body moves as the patient’s body is moving to ensure good body mechanics
Use the controls for vertical movement – do not lift the patient in the harness
Move the patient in a slow and controlled manner by pushing or pulling with the least force required
Do not lift the patient’s legs
Recline the chair, or tip it back slightly while resting the back of it on your thigh
Guide the patient’s buttocks to settle at the very back of the chair
Slowly lower the chair back down
For rolling or boosting a patient in bed, please refer to the Guidelines for Using Ceiling Lifts and Portable Lifts Safely and Effectively

6. Tips to Facilitate Hoyer Use
Communication between patients as well as co-workers is important to:
Reduce patient anxiety
Increase patient participation that is appropriate
Ensure coordinated efforts and comprehension of the task between co-workers
Be aware of the risks associated with certain medical or surgical conditions and adapt sling, positioning, and/or transfer methods appropriately
Take the time to position the sling properly underneath the patient and to get adequate help