Supportive efficiency
on the intensive care ward
Staff on intensive care wards are regularly confronted by busy, unpredictable work situations, which can increase the risk of undesirable events for the patient and of work-related injuries for the care staff.
In many cases, patients are physically dependent on assistance from the staff and may find it hard to follow instructions on account of their illness and/or medication. As a result, lifting and moving procedures on intensive care wards often demand additional assistance and take up much of the staff’s time and energy.
Installing a ceiling lift system can help reduce the number of staff required for individual lifting procedures, while ensuring that lifts are performed quickly, efficiently and safely.
Common lifting and moving tasks on an intensive care ward include:
- Moving patients who are lying down to a different bed/couch
- Lifting bed-bound patients when changing bed linen
- Turning/repositioning patients who are lying down
- (Re)positioning patients to facilitate treatment (in connection with skin examination or wound treatment, for example)
- Positioning and moving arms and legs
- Weighing patients
- Repositioning patients against the headboard of a bed
- Moving patients as part of mobilization programs
Using ceiling lifts on intensive care wards
Intensive care wards are reserved for patients suffering from serious illness, and these patients are generally largely immobile with little functional capacity. In addition, they have often been intubated or connected to a respirator and/or an IV line, as well as other monitoring and intervention equipment. What is more, they are often under anesthetic or on other medication that might leave them frightened, confused or delirious.
A ceiling lift system installed in an intensive care ward can be used to help patients sit up on the edge of the bed or in a wheelchair – and is especially useful if such procedures have to be performed several times a day.
Changing position in this way can help patients breathe more easily, even if they can only remain sitting up for a short period.
A ceiling lift system also makes it easier to transfer patients from bed to couch where they can train their balance capabilities in a sitting position, or do other exercises and activities.
This helps reduce the risk of pressure ulcers, and using a ceiling lift system eliminates the need to adopt awkward positions for patient and carer alike.
Cases
