Patient hoist installations – Part 3 – The Installation

Ceiling hoist track installation – Once the quotation and specification (see Part 2 https://multicaremedical.co.uk/ceiling-hoist-price/ ) has been accepted, the exciting part starts – The Installation!

However, before installation begins, there are still some important steps to be undertaken. Read on to find out more……

1. Planning – Ceiling hoist track installation

Planning of any ceiling hoist installation is very important and it is vital that the installer understands any installation constraints that there may be, such as:

• Is the room(s) occupied?
• Are there restricted hours that work can be carried out in the room or on the site?
• Are there any other constraints (e.g. noise constraints)?

All of the above will impact the installation, and planning ahead to take these into account is of all importance.

If the hoist is to be installed in a clients home, we recognise that having workmen in your house is not ideal! you will receive a friendly courteous service from our engineers, and our motto is ‘Treat the customers house as though it was your own’.

2. Health and Safety

Health and Safety is also a key consideration; any installation must be planned, risk assessed and carried out with safety in mind, reducing any potential risks to the client and also the operatives.

• The Risk Assessment covers all the risks and special considerations. It will details any hazards that have been identified, and specify the measures undertaken to reduce risk from these hazards. It should also specify any tools, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that should be used.
• The Method Statement details the step by step installation process – this should be detailed, and cover all anticipated operations.
• Qualifications operatives should be trained in the specific trade and also have suitable qualifications such as
  • SSP (Site Safety Plus)
  • SSSTS (Supervisors Site Safety Training Scheme)
  • Ladder qualifications
  • IPAF
  • PASMA

Once all these documents have been prepared, the installation can take place.

3. Other considerations

Installations should be well planned and measures taken to reduce dust, noise and other harmful factors. With installations in environments that are occupied for example a school or a care home care home etc it is key that considerations are made for the occupants or residents that may be affected.

This should be covered in the Method Statement mentioned above in point 2. For the duration of the installation there is need to liaise with other parties – for example, with the client and also with other trades that may be working on the site or in the same area as the hoist install. With good practice in mind, the covering and protection of surfaces is important to avert any unexpected damage and a thorough clean following completion of the installation is essential.

4. Commissioning and Training

Once the installation is completed the commissioning of the equipment should take place. The commissioning includes using weights and all hoisting systems are tested to one and a half times the rated capacity.

following successful commissioning, the installation can be signed off and the users shown how to safely operate the equipment. Training on the use of the hoist is crucial to ensure not only user but also carer safety. Misuse of equipment and lack of moving and handling knowledge can lead to accidents and even fatalities, and a well planed and delivered training session will help prevent this.

Stay tuned in – we will be publishing a specific blog on training as Part 4 of our guide on ‘How to achieve a successful hoist installation’.

See more information on Moving and Handling https://multicaremedical.co.uk/moving-and-handling-training-help-is-at-hand/

Contact us today for your ceiling hoist track installation

Call us today for more information about patient hoist installations on 0800 298 6000 or email us [email protected]

Importance of Changing Places Toilets

Over a 1/4 million people need Changing Places toilets to enable them to get out and about and enjoy the day-to-day activities many of us take for granted. This includes people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, as well as older people.

Important considerations for toilet installations in Changing Places

In a Changing Places facility, the toilet should be centrally located as a “peninsular” at least a metre away from walls on either side. By providing space on both sides of the toilet, wheelchair transfers or assistance from carers is enabled, leading to a safer experience for  the users. The toilet should be extra deep to enable hoists to work with it and a back support is often very helpful too.

The toilet itself can be a standard close coupled toilet, or an automatic wash-and-dry toilet may be provided, but is not a requirement of the Changing Places standard. Close-coupled toilets are a good choice as this design provided an integral backrest and, providing the cistern has a flat top, provides a shelf for colostomy bags.

The toilet should have a seat height of 480mm, to facilitate transfer from a wheelchair. Seats with a gap at the front should not be used as this shape can make it difficult for people to transfer and the gap is a potential hazard.

Wall-mounted vertical grab-rails and drop-down support rails should be provided to both sides of the toilet to offer support to people when transferring in a seated position. The wall-mounted vertical grabrails assist people adopting a frontal transfer and people who are able to stand while using the toilet.

Influencing factors

When working with a customer on Changing Places schemes the final specification of the toilet will depend on a number of factors including:

• Budget – A standard toilet is the most cost effective option, however a higher specification will often provide a higher level of functionality and independence for users.
• Space – Whilst space should not be an issues in a Changing LP{aces facility, if an older building is being refurbished, and a smaller room is being utilised, there may not be aspcae for a certain types of toilet
• Services available – Again this should not be an issue if the room is in a new build, but if a room is being refurbished, the location of the services may affect the type of toilet fitted.
• Anticipated users of the facility. This is probably the biggest factor, for example ina facility where there are many differing age users, e.g. a theme park, a height adjustable toilet may be more appropriate. If the facility is to be used mainly by persons with a higher degree of independence, an automatic wash dry toilet may be more appropriate.

The toilet options

Standard Toilet – As a cost effective option, a standard toilet will meet the Changing Places requirements,. As discussed above, it should be extra deep to enable wheelchair transfers, and provided with a backrest for semi independent users. A high toilet is also useful for user who can walk, and this will also be compatible with the hoist system.

Height Adjustable Toilet – Useful to be able to change the height for different users. Height adjustment is available in manual and electric versions.  Also can come with grab-rails attached.

Aquaclean – Auto wash/dry.  Automatic WC that does everything for you…..  Perfect for those who want to maintain dignity and independence in the bathroom. At the touch of a button the Mera automatic wash dry toilet will wash, clean and dry after using the toilet. This toilet combines all the features of a conventional WC and bidet, with the comfort of warm-air drying. A simple to use shower, drying and air purifying operation makes for a cleaner and more hygienic experience that is virtually hands-free. Fresh heated water cleaning at body temperature allows for a much more pleasant and comfortable sensation, yet the manual feature enables conventional use if the bathroom is used by multiple persons.

Our Experience with Changing Places

We have extensive experience in installing Changing Places and can offer professional support and advice on any project. We are also proud to have completed multiple Changing Places including one at the iconic Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre in London. We offer complete turn-key solutions including the installation and equipment that meets all the regulatory requirements.  Click on the links to see our Blogs on latest installations:   Gloucester University  / Southbank Centre / Changing Places in pre-fabricated buildings.

Contact us today

Call us today on 0800 298 6000 or email [email protected]

Patient Weighing in Medical or Care Settings

Medical Scales and weighing of patients – Whilst all medical professionals are aware of the importance of regular and accurate weighing of patients, it could be that this is not carried out as it should, due to a number of factors.

Barriers to compliance of include high staff workload, nature of patients to be weighed, and the availability of appropriate weighing equipment. Measuring patient weight is considered a routine assessment that is frequently delegated to junior staff, ye accurate patient weight is a fundamental part of nutrition assessment,  used to calculate drug dosages and assess fluid balance. It is vital that staff carrying out this measurement are trained and have access to appropriate equipment which should also be regularly calibrated.

So take a moment to think about patients under your care. Is patient weighing being carried out as it should be? If not what are the barriers that are preventing this in your organisation?

The Importance of patient weighing

Recording and documenting an accurate patient body weight is a fundamental part of any nutrition screening, it is also a valuable tool in monitoring fluid balance and calculating medication doses. Nurses or carers are key in ensuring an accurate assessment of body weight, patient risk and ongoing monitoring and intervention of appropriate nutritional care. Weight should not be considered as a one-off observation on admission but must be recognised as an important tool for ongoing assessment throughout the patient’s therapy, carried out by staff who have appropriate knowledge and training.

To see more statistics on the importance of accurate assessments of patient weight click here: https://www.nursingtimes.net/Journals/2014/03/14/v/b/b/190314-Accurate-assessment–of-patient-weight.pdf 

Weighing Options – Medical Scales

In today’s market there are many options available making patient weighing simple, quick and accurate – saving your staff time, and maybe even your patients life. Options include:

1. Guldmann Integrated digital scales, designed to minimise cross infection – https://multicaremedical.co.uk/patient-hoist-scales/
2. ‘Add on’ scales that fit between the spreader bar and the sling – https://multicaremedical.co.uk/product/hoist-weigh-scales/
3. Chair scales – https://multicaremedical.co.uk/product/m200-chair-scales-2/ 
4. Wheelchair scales – https://multicaremedical.co.uk/product/wheelchair-scales/

Contact us today

Call us today on 0800 298 6000 or email [email protected]

Patient hoist installations – Part 2 – The quote and specification

Once the initial survey has been completed (See Part 1 of this series https://multicaremedical.co.uk/patient-hoist-installations-2/), the next part is to get a ceiling hoist price!

A detailed quote and specification should be prepared, and this is a very important document, as it enables the user, healthcare professionals and other interested parties to check that their needs have been interpreted correctly, and that the proposal will fully meet their requirements.

 1 – The specification

The specification will include important items such as:

1. The safe working load (SWL) of the hoisting system. Will the standard 200kg be sufficient, or will extra capacity be required?
2. How will the hoist charge? The constant charge type hoists are recommended for situations where there are multiple users of the same hoist, this design means that no matter where the hoist is left on the ceiling track it will continue to charge the main unit. The other charge type is via the handset which includes a wall mounted docking station.
3. The type of spreader bar is also specified if it for loop slings or clip slings. Additionally can any manufacturers slings be used with the hoist and spreader bar, or are you limited to one or two manufacturers?
4. A brief description of the layout – this should indicate the main transfers points, the areas of the room that will be covered and any other considerations.

3 – Other works

It is important that you understand any other works that may need to be undertaken that are not included within the scope of the installation. This may include items such as

• Electrical supply
• altering doorways
• Structural works

Whether they are the responsibility of the hoist installer, or the client, it is vital that everybody knows who is doing what to ensure a smooth installation.

2  – The drawing

A detailed drawing is essential so that everyone involved is perfectly clear as to where the hoist is going to be installed and which areas are going to be covered by the hoisting system. Other things to be considered are the transfer points, if all areas of the room are covered as per the requirements, is there sufficient room and have all possible obstructions been taken into account. It is also important to have clearly identified the source and location of the electrical supply for the system.

3 – The investment (sometimes referred to as cost)

You will receive a very transparent quotation showing you very clearly everything that is included and  ensuring that you are aware of anything that may not be included in the final price. This will ensure that there are no nasty surprises at any point further down the line, enabling you to budget confidently and accurately.

It is also important to consider the VAT, in some cases the individual and the product are eligible for VAT exemption. There are certain conditions that must be met for this exemption, see the following link for more details: https://multicaremedical.co.uk/disability-vat-relief/

You will also benefit from a list of optional extras separate from the main price so that you are very clear about  what extras are available and any associated costs.

4 – The warranty

Along with the quotation we will clarify the product warranty, this will include what is covered and warranty length of the different components included as part of the installation.  We only work with high quality brands and products so offer impressive warranties giving you total peace of mind.

Our experience with patient hoist installations

As important as the initial survey experience in hoist installation is also key.

See more as to installations we have completed in the Royal Festival Hall at the SouthBank Centre in London:   https://multicaremedical.co.uk/changing-places-changing-live/ 

Also at the Gloucester University:  https://multicaremedical.co.uk/another-successful-installation/

Contact us for ceiling hoist prices

Call us today for more information patient hoist installations on 0800 298 6000 or email us [email protected]

Business Case for Changing Places

With the current business climate being so competitive and everyone looking for an edge it is becoming increasingly important that organizations ensure that their facilities are up to date and accommodate for everyone including those with disabilities. With so much information available online many people will plan a shopping trips and outings ahead of time, and those with disabilities can easily check on the facilities to ensure easy access and that a Changing Places toilet is available on site.

Market Opportunity

In the UK there are over a quarter of a million people with disabilities that require a Changing Places Toilet.

The ‘purple pound’ is a term used to describe the spending power of disabled people and their families. Its influence is growing to proportions that businesses can no longer ignore as the ‘purple pound’ is worth a staggering £212 billion a year.

Another interesting statistic is that three quarters of disabled people and their families have left a shop or business because of poor customer service or a lack of disability awareness showing that if this can be overcome in your organisation there is a great market opportunity.

So why not take a look at your premises form a wheelchair users point of view. Would you feel welcome? Can you easily get around? If your visitors spend more than 3 or 4 hours with you, are there facilities available for them to go to the toilet? If not it is maybe time to take notice of this important demographic.

For more information please follow the link.  https://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk/plain/recognising-the-power-of-the-purple-pound/.

How can you stand out

Thousands of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well other disabilities that severely limit mobility, cannot use standard accessible toilets. People may be limited in their own mobility so need equipment to help them or may need support from one or two carers to either get on the toilet or to have their continence pad changed. Standard accessible toilets (or “disabled toilets”) do not provide changing benches or hoists and most are too small to accommodate more than one person.

Without Changing Places toilets, the person with disabilities is put at risk, and families are forced to risk their own health and safety by changing their loved one on a toilet floor. This is dangerous, unhygienic and undignified. By providing the correct facilities, easy access and a quality Changing Places toilet you can make your organisation stand out from the crowd. By ensuring that you are clearly marked out as having all the correct facilities and being on the Changing Places map will attract a wider market of customers.

Benefits that Changing Places will bring for your organisation

There are many benefits that a Changing Places will bring to your organisation and some of these include:

• Increased Revenue – See calculation below**
• Extra USP. By installing a Changing Places you can demonstrate your care for the disabled, and stand head and shoulders above your competitors  and marketing point.
• Increase your market size. By opening your facility up to a bigger market, you have more opportunity if increasing revenue.
• Referrals – Customers talk! Persons with additional needs are no different, will often speak with others about their experience at your business and make recommendations. Make sure you are spoken of positively.
• Lifetime Value of loyal customers that enjoy the benefits of your facilities.
• Compliance. Apart from all of the above, you also have a statutory duty under the DDA top ensure your premises are accessible. Don’t be in the news for the wrong reasons!

** Quick example and calculation of increased revenue: If your facilities include a quality Changing Places this could potentially attract say 50 new customers to your store or business, if they visited three times a year and spent an average of £100 per visit and if the customer retention was 5 years that would be a total of an extra £75,000 of extra revenue in sales.  This gives you some idea of the positive impact this could have by simply having the correct facilities.

Our Experience with Changing Places

Why not benefit from our extensive experience in installing Changing Places and the professional support and advice we offer.

Working closely with you together we can provide the following

• Feasibility Study
• Budget costs
• Specification
• Turnkey installation
• Staff training
• Ongoing Maintenance and Servicing

We are also proud to have completed multiple Changing Places including one at the iconic Royal Festival Hall at Southbank Centre in London. We offer complete turn-key solutions including the installation and equipment that meets all the regulatory requirements.

Click on the links to see our Blogs on latest installations:   Gloucester University  / Southbank Centre / Changing Places in pre-fabricated buildings.

Contact us

Contact us to discuss all your Changing Places needs – from planning to installation to training to servicing, we can help you every step of the way.

Call us today on 0800 298 6000 or email [email protected]

Successful hoisting of students or children

When hoisting, choosing the correct sling is very important for a safe, and comfortable transfer and dedicated sling assessments are key to the success of hoisting.  The correct choice of sling design, size, and fabric is critical to ensure comfort and safety for the user. An inadequate sling assessment could result in an incorrect sling being specified leading to user discomfort, or even worse injury.

Factors to consider

• What is the size of the person or child involved? Are they very small, or very slender?
• Skin integrity – do they have fragile skin, are they at risk of developing pressure ulcers.
• Uncontrolled movements – do they have uncontrolled movements, or do they go into extension?
• Use of the sling – Is it being used for bed to chair, chair to bed, bathing. Does it need to be used for lifting from the floor?
• Fabric – standard polyester, in situ spacer fabric or does it need to be suitable for bathing?
• Compatibility with hoisting system – What hoist is in use, is it clip or loop attachments.

Implications of incorrect sling specifications

The consequence of using incorrect slings ranges from mild discomfort or indignity through tissue damage right up to even injury or fatality. Whilst nursing or care staff are responsible for the wellbeing of the student or child, managers are also responsible to ensure the correct equipment, training and assessments are in place. Correct sling use, manual handling procedures and risk assessments are all essential to ensure successful outcomes from such transfers.

What does the HSE say

Health and safety legislation does NOT prohibit all moving and handling; rather it requires employers to adopt a risk management approach.  Employers need to focus on enabling, rather than prohibiting, student participation.

See further information from the HSE , click on this link: http://www.hse.gov.uk/services/education/management-moving-handling.htm

Sling Assessments – How we can help

A quality sling assessment and the correct equipment are key to the safety of your staff and students, and at Multicare we have trained assessors available to carry out sling assessments and equipment prescriptions to help you in this critical area.

At the sling assessment our assessor will

• Ask lots of questions! This is vital to ensure that we fully understand the requirements of the user, the staff and others
• Measure the user
• Demonstrate samples
• Discuss the options available
• Following the assessment a full report will be sent with recommendations of the correct sling

Sling Clinics for Schools

Do you have a large number of pupils being hoisted?

Why not book a sling clinic? One of our assessors will visit our site with a wide range of slings in different fabrics, styles and sizes enabling you to assess high number of pupils in a short time. Invite OT’s parents and carers along, and get them all on the same page about your pupils hoisting needs – call today to arrange.

Book your Free Assessment today!

Contact us today on 0800 298 6000 or email [email protected] to book your free sling assessment or clinic, our assessors are here to help you!!

Patient hoist installations – Part 1 – The Initial consultation and survey

The initial survey for any patient hoist installation is something that is often overlooked, however it is extremely important for a successful outcome. An accurate and detailed survey will enable the visual impact of the hoist to be reduced, and ensure the the needs of the user and carers are fully met. A poor survey may result in inadequate or incorrect equipment being prescribed, leading to costs and safety concerns down the line. Key areas identified at the survey include:

 1 – The User(s)

Firstly and most importantly we look at the users of the hoist. They are the most important person(s) in the whole process, and their expectations and needs are a priority. It is important at this stage that we look at the whole person, not just the reason they require a hoist – will others be using the room, for example, will friends and family be visiting? These questions can impact the type of hoist system fitted to ensure that a solution is provided that is discreet and unobtrusive. Other questions we consider when looking at the user include.

• What size and shape are they?
• what ability do they have, what is level of mobility, and is it likely to improve or deteriorate
• What is the user’s weight and is it likely to change.
• What are the carers capabilities, how many are there and are they consistent?

2  – Transfers

Once we have an idea of the users condition and expectations we can then start to analyse the type and frequency of transfers that are going to take place. This may involve a discussion about best practice, how the user currently transfers and what care staff are in place and how high are their skill levels. This section gets to the real transfer needs of the users, and sometimes what they need is different to what they want!

Questions that are typically asked at this stage include.

• What do they need to be transferred to and from?
• What are the user’s needs?
• Is the user able to independently operate the hoist?
• Are they at risk of falling?
• Will the hoist be used for any other activities, for example gait training, turning in bed etc?

3 – The Building

Once we have analysed the users and their needs, it is time to look at the building and see how it can accommodate a hoist system. Withe the advent of  Wall Rail Systems and the GHZ hoist, there are very few situations where a hoist cannot be fitted. However it is important that the buildings measured carefully and any obstructions noted to avoid problems down the line.

• What structural support is available?
• Are the ceilings high enough?
• Is there any presence of asbestos?
• How can the hoist system be blended into the fabric of the building to reduce the visual impact.
• How can future maintenance needs be made safer
• How can risks during and after installation be minimised.

4 – The System

Once all the above factors have been taken into consideration, we can then look at what can actually be installed in the property. Although (almost) anything can be installed, there may be budgetary or other constraints that impact the final decision. factors to be decided at this stage may include.

• What is the user’s budget
• Are there any strict timelines that need to be met, for example if a patient is to be discharged from hospital on a specific date.
• What support is available for the system?
• How can the layout meet the users’ needs?
• Are there any obstructions that need to be considered such as light fittings, fire sprinklers, other permanent fixtures or beams that may need to be worked around?

Our Experience with patient hoist installations

As important as the initial survey, experience in hoist installation is also key.

See more as to installations we have completed in the Royal Festival Hall at the SouthBank Centre in London:   https://multicaremedical.co.uk/changing-places-changing-live/ 

Also at the Gloucester University:  https://multicaremedical.co.uk/another-successful-installation/

Contact us

Call us today for more information patient hoist installations on 0800 298 6000 or email us [email protected]