Early Mobilisation
- faster rehabilitation

When a person is hospitalised and required to spend protracted periods in bed, this can have serious consequences on his/her health and well-being. Lying immobile increases the risk of blood clots forming in the lungs, and of skin complications such as pressure ulcers.

Loss of muscle mass and strength are other complications commonly associated with long-term hospitalisation, and these issues can actually affect both the length of hospitalisation and the patient’s ability to function after discharge.

For hospitalised patients, long periods of immobility increase the risk of:

Respiratory complications such as pneumonia, atelectasis and pulmonary embolism
Constipation
Incontinence
Tissue damage and pressure ulcers
Blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis)
Reduced muscle mass and -strength
Reduced physical fitness
Diminished balance, especially among elderly patients

It is therefore extremely important to mobilise patients as early as possible – ideally during the period of hospitalisation.

Early mobilisation will enable patients to commence rehabilitation sooner, which will improve convalescence after an operation by boosting blood circulation and reducing the risk of infection and other complications.

Early mobilisation and rehabilitation are defined as positioning/repositioning exercises and physical activity, and spending more time out of bed – walking around or simply standing up.

Other activities include daily routines such as combing hair, washing face and hands with a wet flannel, exercises in and/or next to the bed, balance training and walking around the bed.

Challenges linked to early mobilisation include risks such as falls, a major need for physical assistance, and risk of injury to care staff and therapists.

Time to Care

Mobilising patients early and more safely

Common lifting and moving tasks:

Helping patients into a sitting position in order to test their reactions, reflexes, protective responses
Supporting the sitting position
Moving patients between bed, chair, examination couch, etc.
Lifting the upper body for positioning supports, pillows and the like
Lifting the hips when making the bed under the patient
Lifting extremities
Toilet visits (using a toilet chair, if necessary)
Transition from one position to another
Moving patients from sitting to standing position, and vice versa
Standing balance/sitting balance
Reactions, reflexes, protective response in upright position
Shifting weight
Gait training
Exercises in the bed

A ceiling hoist system with the appropriate sling can help promote the early mobilisation and training of hospitalised patients in a manner safe for both patient and staff.

Medical, orthopaedic and bariatric patients, as well as patients on intensive care wards, all benefit from lifting systems involving ceiling hoists and slings.

A ceiling hoist can be used to test patients’ seated balance capabilities – when sitting on the edge of the bed, for example. If patients start to feel dizzy while sitting securely in the sling, they can be helped back to bed quickly and easily without having to lift them manually. Similarly, intubated patients attached to monitors can be lifted up and into an easy chair positioned next to their bed – thus promoting early mobilisation.

A ceiling hoist also makes balance/gait training safer for both the patient and the care staff. Patients feel safe and secure in the walking sling and can start to move around without the risk of falling.

Scientific Documentation

Ceiling hoists for early mobilisation

Neurorehabilitation with Trainer module

17 January 2019

A Covid-19 patient with left-sided hemiplegia benefits from the Trainer module, improving strength, mobility, and independence during neurorehabilitation.

Rehab without limits

7 March 2023

A ceiling hoist with dynamic weight relief helps patients regain strength, balance, and mobility—safely and effectively.

Check out our videos showcasing how Guldmann ceiling hoists, slings, and lifting equipment are used for early mobilisation.

Early mobilisation videos

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Products for early mobilisation

GH3 Lifting module

The GH3 ceiling hoist is a stationary lifting module that is user-friendly and powerful enough to handle lifting and moving procedures in almost all professional care settings.

GH3+ Lifting module

Ideal for all professional care settings, the GH3+ ensures safe patient handling with powerful performance.

Trainer Module for GH3+

Integrated into a ceiling hoist and provides weight relief for physically challenged patients.

Positioning lock

The Positioning lock adds yet another option to the Guldmann GH3 ceiling hoist system for moving, treating, mobilising and rehabilitating people. Using the Positioning lock, it is possible to secure the lifting module and/or the traverse rail in a given position in the full-coverage rail system.

Disposable Gait Trainer

The Disposable Gait Trainer is a single-patient walking sling for people with sufficient leg strength to stand upright, but who have difficulty balancing.

Gait Trainer sling

Supports users with balance issues, ensuring safety and stability during gait training and standing exercises.

Basic High

The Guldmann Basic High sling is a full-body lifting sling suitable for a wide variety of users and lifting operations. The sling supports the entire body including the head.

Multi Support

The Guldmann Multi Support sling supports and lifts limbs in conjunction with the hoist, avoiding unnecessary strain to the care provider.

See all products

Early Mobilisation- faster rehabilitation