How to choose the best Lifter for your patient
Finding the most appropriate equipment to suit client needs is of upmost importance to OTs and Physios. With many similar products on the market, it can be difficult to get an in-depth understanding of how products differ to determine the best option.
We understand this struggle and want to streamline this process as much as possible. That's why we have created our Lifter Comparison Resource which takes a deep dive into our core range of floor hoists and Lifters.
The dimensions of each lifter are included on the one-page PDF including the standout features. Print it off and take with you to appointments or use online to simplify your research process.
Now let's dive a little deeper. We were interested to see how one of our top selling products, the Oxford Presence, compares to other, seemingly similar products on the market.
In the video below we compare the Oxford Presence to similar lifters from brand X and brand Y.
In the video, we can see the lifters are set up in the same position against the bed. With the full rise action completed, there are a few things we can point out.
LIFTER DEPTH
This refers to how far the lifter reaches across the width of the bed. So why is lifter depth important?
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The mast doesn't have to hit the bed to place the patient in the correct position on the bed
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This will prevent damage and improve the longevity of the lifter.
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This also means there will be no jolt or swing to the sling that occurs when the mast hits the side of the bed. This makes for a much more comfortable patient experience.
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Easily get patient into the centre of the bed. This removes any supplementary manual handling which can cause strain on the carer.
LIFTER HEIGHT
Next, we can compare lifter height. We can see from the video that there is quite an obvious difference between the max height reach of each of the 3 lifters with the Presence with the tallest reach. Why is a tall reach important?
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Creates an angle which provides further depth from the sling to the mast which gives the patient more room, for a more comfortable lift.
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Suitable to use for any bed height.
The next image shows the lifter base for Brand Y and the Oxford Presence (respectively from left to right).
It's easy to see the difference between these two lifters. One of the biggest things to note is the casing of the base on both lifters. The lifter on the left isn't fully covered by the casing like the one on the right. This is exposing the actuator. As a common practice of moving the lifter, the user will use the foot to manoeuvre the lifter. Without a full strong case to protect the actuator, regular use can lead to faster deterioration and the likelihood of damage.
The Oxford Presence has a hard plastic casing that completely surrounds the base of the lifter, which will keep it protected. Another benefit to this makes it super easy to clean and sanitise.
PRE-PURCHASE CHECKLIST
To conclude our experiment it is important to look for these universal traits that will help to provide the most comfortable lift and provide lifter longevity to avoid preventable replacements.
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Lifter depth
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Lifter Reach height
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Base structure
Interested in all things lifters? Check out our blog written by OT Miki Rossanis where she talks passive lifting tips including a pre-lift check list OT Tips: Pre Lifting Checklist
