Handling patients safely in the operating theatre

The working environment in an operating theatre is often distinguished by demanding work processes and limitations on available space. As a rule, operating theatres are packed with all kinds of equipment, so staff will often have little room in which to lift and/or move the patient.

When dealing with bariatric patients, it is not uncommon to have to call on the assistance of 4–6 people to complete the move in the best and gentlest manner possible. This, in turn, often requires carers to work in awkward, ergonomically challenging positions.

As patients in operating theatres are generally under the influence of painkillers and/or anaesthetics, they are rarely capable of providing any assistance themselves when they are being lifted, moved and positioned.

All in all, operating theatres are often the setting for complex moves – turning patients onto their stomach, for example – and procedures that typically involve multiple staff.

It is also common to have to perform heavy lifting in operating theatres. Lifting legs during skin sterilisation processes is a typical example of a procedure that demands long-term static muscle effort.

Common lifting and moving procedures in operating theatres include:

Lifting extremities to allow washing or sterilisation, or as part of the operation itself
Repositioning patients on the operating table
Lifting patients with limited movement
Turning patients positioned on their stomach
Turning patients onto their side on the operating table
Positioning thorax pillows
Moving patients between bed/stretcher trolley and the operating table
Positioning legs in leg slings

Time to Care

Welfare technology for a modern operating theatre

In a hectic working environment, it is only natural for the staff to focus primarily on the safe handling of the patient and correct performance of the surgical procedures, at the expense of concentrating on their lifting technique when manually moving and positioning the patient.

Handling patients manually have been standard practice in operating theatres for many years, but taking into account how quickly technical innovation has progressed in the field of healthcare, it must surely be worth thinking about how to improve the physical working environment for operating theatre staff.

Compared with many other sectors, healthcare staff are much more prone to musculoskeletal injuries – injuries that often give rise to protracted periods of sick leave and even early retirement on account of bodily strain and fatigue.

A ceiling hoist system makes it appreciably easier and safer to lift and move patients. It also frees up staff, allowing them to devote more time to other patients and/or duties.

Installing a ceiling hoist in an operating theatre opens the door to optimising the physical working environment for the staff. It enables them to perform lifts and moves – including positioning patients on their stomach – more efficiently while maintaining a safe, responsible working posture.

An appropriate hoist system combined with the associated range of slings will also significantly improve patient safety, with the risk of friction injuries to the patient’s skin falling sharply when all lifts are performed calmly and with little stress or strain.

Time to change the handling practices in the OR department

Scientific documentation

Ceiling hoists in the OR

Ceiling hoists in OR improves safety

January 17, 2019

The Regional Hospital in Horsens is equipping all operating theatres with ceiling hoists to enhance staff efficiency and patient safety.

Neurorehabilitation with Trainer module

January 17, 2019

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

Smart Health Innovation Lab

August 18, 2017

The Smart Health Innovation Lab showcases top-tier technologies and services that play an important role in healthcare transformation by improving health outcomes, enhancing the patient and provider experience, and reducing costs.

Check out our videos showcasing how Guldmann ceiling hoists, slings, and lifting equipment are used in the operating room. For inspiration and practical demonstrations, highlighting how our products enhance safety, efficiency, and patient care in operating theatres.

Operating Theatre Videos

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Products for the operating theatre

GH3+ Lifting module

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

GH3 Twin module

The GH3 Twin ceiling hoist comprises two GH3 lifting modules and uses two lifting straps. This module is designed for lifting and moving heavy bariatric people, and is also ideal for horizontal lifts in combination with Guldmann Horizontal Lifters.

Horizontal lifting support, stepless weight adjustment

The Horizontal lifting support with stepless weight adjustment, together with a horizontal lifting sling is used with a ceiling hoist or mobile lifter for moving people who have to be kept in horizontal positions.

OR Sling - Upper body

The OR sling is used in combination with the Guldmann Cross Hanger (400 kg) to move the patient’s upper body onto the operating table or to lift it from the operating table in a horizontal position.

Horizontal Sling, Standard

The Guldmann Horizontal Sling is used in conjunction with the Guldmann Horizontal lifting support stretcher.

Repositioning Sling, TENCEL®

The Guldmann Repositioning sling is ideal to turn, transfer and repositioning the user in the bed.

Disposable OR Sling - Upper body

The Disposable OR sling is used in combination with the Guldmann Cross Hanger (400 kg) to move the patient’s upper body onto the operating table or to lift it from the operating table in a horizontal position.

Disposable High

The Guldmann Disposable High sling is a general lifting sling suitable for a wide variety of users and lifting operations.

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