Choosing The Right Patient Lift

A patient lift can help those with limited mobility to move between chairs and beds, or from a standing position to a sitting position. It’s a piece of equipment that can be found in nursing homes, hospitals, and private homes. Patient lifts support caregivers and reduces the risk of injuries to patients by providing a smooth transition from different places. If you’re trying to find a good patient lift for your home or facility, this guide will help you to find one that suits your needs. 

Manual vs. Electric Lift

A manual lift is manually powered by the operator by using a hydraulic pump. They are cheaper compared to electric lifts since they contain lesser parts. However, it requires more effort to operate. 

An electric lift is powered by a rechargeable battery and uses a motor. It includes various parts such as control boxes, hand controls, motors, and batteries. Electric lifts are much more convenient and are highly preferred by caregivers or nurses in care facilities and hospitals. 

Weight Limit

Different lifts have different maximum weight capacities. You should make sure to select one that can support the weight of your patient. 

Height Requirements

The lift you choose should meet your height requirements so that it’ll be able to function as intended, and that includes picking your patients up from as low as the floor, and going up to as high as your bed. 

Portable Patient Lifts

If you need to bring around your patient lifts frequently, there are portable patient lifts that can fold for easier transport and storage. However, portable lifts can weigh up to 80 pounds and might be difficult for a single person to lift. 

Four Types of Specialty Patient Lifts 

Other than electric or manual, there are many more subtypes of patient lifts to suit your specific needs. For example, heavy-duty lifts are able to lift up to 1,000 pounds. These lifts have legs that can be adjusted into a wide position to offer greater stability. They can also be closed to make it easier to maneuver through doorways and hallways.

Sit-to-stand lifts are designed to help patients move from a sitting position to a standing position. They are used for patients who have control of their head and upper bodies and are also able to support their own weight while standing. 

Bath lifts are made for the bathtubs and they can help raise and lower patients in and out of the bathtub. They are often made with germ-resistant plastic and rust-free aluminum to protect against water damage.

Pool lifts are used to lower or raise patients in and out of the water, such as pools and hot tubs. They can be portable or deck-mounted. 

Patient Lifts at CWI Medical

Are you thinking about getting a patient lift? After reading this guide, you should have the basic information you need to choose the right kind of patient lift that will suit your purposes. At CWI Medical, we have different types of patient lifts available. If you need help with deciding on the most suitable one, you can reach out to our expert customer service representatives for assistance. They will be able to answer your questions and match you up with a patient lift that satisfies all your requirements.