Unicare shares best practices for Manual Handling Equipment with allied health partners
Are you a health professional required to navigate the complex world of manual handling equipment? Our recent workshop focused on transfer-assist equipment and its most effective applications. This was the first of our new in-depth sessions, aiming to deliver comprehensive training to smaller groups. With a crowd of 50 passionate and dedicated allied health professionals, our goal was to empower attendees with the knowledge and skills to keep caregivers injury-free while assisting people living with disabilities.
Person Moving & Handling Equipment
– from Assessment to Prescription
Friday 23 February 2024
Technology Park Function Centre, Bentley
Throughout the day, this workshop guided our allied health partners through the process of recommending manual handling equipment. We understand how challenging it can be to find a solution that satisfies both the client and the care worker, so we focused on giving attendees the tools to objectively evaluate different options with confidence.
This workshop was led by Unicare Health’s very own clinical educator and trainer, Annette Dumble – formerly known as Annette Terranova. With over 35 years of industry experience, Annette brought her expertise in pressure care, manual handling, mobility, and seating to provide invaluable insights throughout the day.
Understanding it’s a Negotiation
Manual handling is an important bridge to life for many clients. However, as a caregiver, you face the challenge of balancing your needs, the client’s needs, and their family’s needs to find a solution that leaves everyone happy. That’s why choosing the right manual handling equipment often requires compromise and negotiation so that you can identify to a win-win solution.
For example, a client who requires a lifting hoist may not enjoy how the equipment looks when it’s placed in their house. In this case, the Oxford Advance is a good option because it offers a softer and less clinical look compared to other hoists. Plus, its folding design makes it easy to pack away. Alternatively, you may want to consider a ceiling hoist. Despite built-in track design limitations, ceiling hoists are simple to use, look sleek and appealing, can be disassembled and stored, and are an excellent space-saving alternative to standing hoists.
Managing Manual Handling Anxiety
We also addressed the anxiety that care workers can feel when they approach manual handling concerns. Annette provided a framework to manage this anxiety, emphasising the importance of examining what factors are in your control and making well-informed decisions. Participants had the opportunity to experience various lifting hoists, including the Ansa Alto and Ansa Sonata, and learn about best practices for selecting and customising slings.
Transfer Aids
Transfer aids are an essential way of reducing strain and injury risk when transferring patients. Annette demonstrated the QuickMove, a transfer aid for sit-to-stand transfers. This user-friendly system uses hydraulic pressure to make transfers easier by providing both the caregiver and the patient with an extra boost of assistance.
Mangar Camel
In addition, we showcased the Mangar Camel, an effective lifting cushion for assisting individuals who have fallen over. This portable device inflates in stages, gently lifting the user from the floor and into a sitting or standing position. By doing so, it reduces the need for manual handling and the risk of injury, both for the caregiver and the person who has fallen.
What should I do if my sling is a different brand than my hoist?
Using a sling with a different hoist can be an option in some cases, but several factors need to be considered. Firstly, always refer to the user manual for guidance. It’s crucial to ensure the connection type matches; for instance, never use a loop sling with a clip hoist, and vice versa. It’s also recommended to trial all relevant matching slings for the hoist, documenting reasons why the recommended combination may not be suitable. If a non-matching hoist/sling is necessary, conduct a thorough risk assessment, documenting why a sling from a different brand is more suitable for the client. Lastly, both parties should provide sign-off for using a different brand of sling, followed by comprehensive training.
Did you know?
When you’re looking for a hoist yoke with a weighing function, it’s best to choose one that has an integrated weigh scale. Why is that? Because an integrated weigh scale takes up less room, meaning the hoist has more space to accommodate the patient!
Thank You
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in our Person Moving and Handling Equipment workshop. Your enthusiasm and excitement to learn made the day a resounding success. Moving forward, we aim to continue tailoring our workshops to your needs, so that you can enjoy learning relevant and impactful information.
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