Portable Total Body Lifts

Sometimes children require the entire weight of themselves to be supported via a sling on a moveable stand to transfer from one place to another. Lifts can be used to move a child who cannot bear weight on their own from a wheelchair to a cot, floor, toilet or vehicle. The instructional steps assist the registered nurse working under the auspices of the school or program in professional judgement and accountability of delegation. Additional steps may be required depending on the learner’s health needs.

Steps

1. Check the equipment:
   1. Check all bolts for tightness
   2. Make sure the boom and mast will not rotate
   3. Check that casters/wheels turn freely
   4. Check lift for braking mechanism
   5. Ensure the battery is fully charged (if applicable)
   6. Test the lift controls and make sure the emergency release feature works
   7. Examine the sling and attachment areas for tears, holes, or frayed seams (do not use sling with signs of wear)
2. Check to see if the student can assist with the transfer
3. Determine how many staff will be required to transfer the student safely
4. Clear the path
5. Ensure the receiving surface is stable, locked and check weight limits
6. Wash your hands. Have or help the student wash their hands.
7. Place the student in the sling as directed by the manufacturer
8. Slowly lower the sling bar down to the patient
9. Attach the sling straps to the sling bar as directed by the manufacturer
   1. use matching loops from each side to ensure the sling is balanced
   2. ensure all clips or loops are secure and will stay attached as the student is lifted
   3. ensure the straps are not twisted
   4. ensure the student’s head and back is supported
10. Perform another safety check:
    1. examine all hooks and fasteners to ensure they will not unhook during use
    2. double check the student’s position and stability of straps and other equipment before lifting the student
    3. ensure clips, latches and bars are securely fastened together
11. Lift the student 2 inches off the surface to make sure the student is secure. Check the following:
    1. sling straps are confined by the guard on the sling bar and that it will not disengage
    2. the student’s weight is evenly between straps
    3. the student will not slide out of the sling or tip forward
12. Check the student’s comfort, to include:
    1. asking the student if they are comfortable
    2. making sure the student is not pinching or pulling on the student’s skin
    3. looking for nonverbal signs of discomfort
13. Slowly lift the student only as high as necessary to complete the transfer
14. Use gentle pressure with your hands to guide the student slowly towards the receiving surface
15. Slowly lower the student towards the receiving surface and move the student’s body into the correct position before releasing the student’s weight using the lift control
16. When releasing the student’s weight, do not let the sling bar hit the student
17. Detach the sling from the lift using the manufacturer’s instructions
18. Carefully remove the sling if necessary
19. Check the student for response to the procedure.
20. Wash your hands. Have or help the student wash their hands.
21. Follow any additional steps unique to the student’s delegated care as instructed by the school nurse
22. Document the date, time, procedure, student’s response, your initials and signature

Remember: If the power fails and you are using an electric sling, use the emergency release on the equipment to lower the child manually.