A number of people have asked us about mobile hoists. Aren’t they
better than fixed ones?
We believe that ceiling track hoists have the following benefits
over and above mobile hoists:
-
They can be used in spaces where there is insufficient space to
manoeuvre a mobile hoist.
-
Mobile hoists often require two people to assist a user,
whereas many users can use a ceiling track hoist with one PA or
carer.
-
With a mobile hoist you need space
under the bed for its legs - about 15cm which few hotel beds
provide.
-
A mobile hoist cannot be used to get
into a bath unless it is specially designed with clearance
underneath.
Although for most ceiling hoist users a single track from bed
through to bath and toilet is the ideal, but sometimes this will
necessitate an extensive rebuild and perhaps even compromise on
space. We all have to learn to work creatively and the solution, for
instance, we worked out with Intercontinental Hotels Group to
facilitate their installation, was two tracks, one in the bathroom
for bath and toilet and one in the bedroom. The hoist chosen was one
which is used in many hospital sites and the hoist itself is easily
unhooked from one track by a PA or carer and moved to the other. If
anyone has any queries about the system feel free to e-mail us at
queries@CHuC.org.ukTransportable ceiling hoists have additional benefit of being
removable from the track when not needed. This prevents their being
abused and broken by people who do not need them and value them
appropriately. Read a personal experience of using a mobile hoist in an accessible hotel bedroom
here
The following information is from the
Freeway Healthcare website
Why choose a ceiling track hoist?
Ceiling Track hoists have many advantages:
A ceiling track hoist is quick and easy to use, and is never
in the way, and always where you need it. Because of this constant
availability, it is more likely to be used by carers than a mobile
hoist, which may not be to hand immediately when it is required.
Positioning a person is easier with a ceiling track hoist. It
eliminates the risk of back injury for carers when performing a
transfer and requires minimum effort to operate . As in most cases
it can be operated by one person, there is much closer contact
between the user and the carer and can be more dignified in use than
other solutions. A person is more easily positioned using the
ceiling track hoist, as they can be raised lowered turned and
traversed with no physical effort from the carer.
It does not take up floor space and is therefore often
suitable for use in restricted areas or toilets/small bathrooms
where a mobile hoist might be difficult to manoeuvre. It does not
have ‘traffic’ problems in moving and is not affected by different
levels of floor or rucks in carpets.
It can lift higher and lower than a mobile hoist: the same
hoist can be used for floor to chair transfer, chair to shower
stretcher, raised bath, or bed.
Ceiling Track hoists are very well received by persons being
lifted in them, who generally feel secure as they experience no
sudden movement. The Freeway has a ‘soft start’ as a standard
feature, which means that the hoist gradually builds up to its full
speed and virtually eliminates jerking.
Because a ceiling track hoist only requires a button to operate
it, the carer is left free to aid the user at all times, which
gives confidence to the user and leaves the carer free to attend to
the comfort of the user.
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