How to Use a Hoist in a Care Home

Healthcare services often deal with having to lift, move, and transport residents on a daily basis. To assist them, many care homes have introduced hoists into their working practice.

Hoists come in all kinds of designs; each relevant to various mobility issues. Carers should know how to use hoists properly based on individual needs. Using the wrong type or method could result in serious injuries, paying compensation, and even facing prosecution.

In this guide, we’ll look at what hoists are, who they’re used for, and how to introduce them safely in your care home.

What is a hoist used for in a care home?

A hoist is a mechanical device that offers carers a safe method for transporting residents. They’re considered as a popular mobility-assistance device in the care home sector.                                                                              

Care homes use several types of hoists for different jobs. For example, you can use a ceiling hoist to transport a resident from their bed to their bathroom. Some hoists are light enough to carry around from location to location. Others are built into the infrastructure of a room or building.

Elderly citizens are at a higher risk of being hospitalised due to falling. It’s one of the biggest concerns for the older population. Using hoists offers an sense of reassurance and security compared to manual handling.

What are different types of hoists used in care homes?

There are several types of hoists available to use in care homes. Selecting one depends on the resident and their specific mobility issue. Some may only need help getting out of bed, whilst others require full-body support to move around.

Let’s look at different types of hoists used in care homes:

Stationary Hoists

Stationary hoists are usually installed in one location of a care home, like on the wall or floor. Whilst these have a fixed base, stationary hoists do have mechanical arms that lift residents safely.

It’s important to consider where to install stationary hoists in your care homes. They’re normally placed behind beds or examination benches.

Mobile Hoists

Many care homes invest in mobile hoists over other types due to their versatility. Mobile hoists are easy to move around and are simple in design. They’re built with a carrying bar which moves up and down; and two metal legs to help with transportation.

Carers can use mobile hoist for various tasks; like moving a resident from the bed to their wheelchair or bathroom. Because they’re versatile and ergonomic, both smaller and larger care homes choose to invest in them.

Ceiling Track Hoists

Ceiling track hoists (like stationary hoists) are installed in one area – specifically, overhead. The trolley part of the hoist runs on metal tracks which are assessed manually or electronically.

Hoist tracks come in all kinds of shapes; like straight, curved, and circular. It usually depends on which areas must be accessible to residents with mobility issues.

Bath Hoists

Bath hoists can be both stationary and mobile – it depends on your specific caring needs. Carers use bath hoists to help residents into bathtubs or shower cubicles.

Normally, mobile hoists are used to transport residents into bathtubs. However, bath hoists are specifically designed to help wheelchair-bound residents.

Sitting and Standing Hoists

Sitting and standing hoists are generally used for residents with little to no mobility. They offer sufficient support to carers, as it minimises the amount of manual handling.

Wheelchair-bound residents will often use these hoists in care homes. Carers are trained to carry these residents fully, which can be exhausting. The hoists eliminate this exercise – minimising the health risks to residents and staff.

How to use a hoist in your care home safely

Carers use all kinds of manual handling for residents with mobility issues. One wrong manoeuvre when lifting or moving them could result in serious harm – to the resident and staff.

With the right hoist device, carers can feel confident when transporting residents. They can also save time, are useful in emergencies, and offer excellent rehabilitation support.

Let’s look at how to use hoists safely within your care home:

Understand the basics of using hoists

The first step employers should take is fully understanding the basics of using hoists. Whether it’s a mobile sling or ceiling track hoist, you and your staff should know how they’ll offer the best support to your residents.

Carers should have relevant information, training, and qualifications needed for respite care. With the right practices in place, residents can feel satisfactory with the care that they’re receiving.

From a business perspective, employers are able to comply with legal manual handling obligations, whilst feeling content with their services. In the end, it benefits everyone if these care practices are up to date.

Initiate a risk assessment

Employers should initiate a risk assessment for their hoists. The aim is to ensure all hoists within your business are working properly and are being used a correct manner.

Risk assessments can highlight potential issues linked to hoists in your care home. It can also pinpoint certain areas where carers may require further training to work more safely.

Remember, risk assessments should only be carried out by a ‘competent person’. That means having the right training and certification necessary for the test. You can assign this task to a responsible person internally or hire a external professional to undergo the task for you.

Choose a suitable hoist

As mentioned, there are several hoists you can introduce into your care home business. However, it’s crucial to use the correct hoist for your residents and services.

For example, sling hoists are usually single-use, as they’re measured against the dimensions of an individual. It’s not suitable to use collectively, especially when it’s not applicable to their mobility needs.

Using the right hoist per task will help minimise health and safety risks on residents, carers, and surrounding people. The point of using hoists is to avoid injuries; using the wrong version can result in unreputable consequences.

Offer training

The next step involves making sure your carers have the appropriate safety training needed to use hoists. They should know what type of hoist is needed, as well as how it relates to the resident in question.

It’s also important for carers to work safely without injuring themselves through poor manual handling. If you have a hoist available, it’s best to use them and avoid transporting residents unassisted.

In the end, safe working procedures benefit the overall business. Ensure your staff receive the required training for their role, as well as updated versions relevant to the healthcare industry.

Perform regular checks

Safety equipment like hoists should be checked on a regular basis. This ensures that they’re compliant with legislation like LOLER and CQC regulations.

It’s also advisable to conduct checks after hoist-accidents in care homes. Remember, many elderly citizens have fears of falling, so reassure them of how safe the equipment is through regular checks.

Once hoists have passed appropriate tests, they should have a sticker displaying this. The sticker will also outline when the test took place, what the result was, and when the next test should be. For example, in the next 12 months.

Get expert advice on hoisting in care homes with Peninsula

Manual handling comes with all kinds of health risks – to carers, as well as residents. With the use of hoists, care homes can provide the safest procedure when it comes to transporting people with mobility issues.

Peninsula provides expert advice on using hoists in care homes. We offer 24-hour H&S advice – ensuring your carers work in the safest manner possible. 

Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a free consultation with one of our Health and Safety consultants today.