Hoists: Selection Criteria and Standards

Abstract

A fundamental part of the prevention strategies aimed at reducing risk due to manual handling of patients is the use of appropriate aids. This paper defines the basic types of aids for hospital wards and also proposes a procedure for choice of the type of aid. The procedure uses a specific protocol and also analyses work organisation and the environmental features of the ward. The proposed criteria for choice concern at first place the fundamental requirements of the equipment: safety for operator and patient, simplicity of use and comfort for the patient. Secondly the basic determinants for the choice of the type of aid are the kind of disabled patient usually present in the ward, and the analysis of the movements done during patients handling.