DETAILED DIRECTIONS FOR USING COMMON HOYER SLINGS AND PATIENT LIFT SLINGS
1. Arrange all items for a smooth transfer - lifter, sling, wheelchair.
2. Patient should be in center of twin size bed or to one side of double size bed.
3. Roll patient on side away from attendant. (Raise side rail, if equipped, on side opposite attendant).
4. For full hammock style slings place sling folded half-way under patient so cut-out is just below tail-bone.
5. Place wider piece (seat) under patient's thighs so lower edge of seat is up to knees. Place narrower piece (back) just above small of back. If patient is in hospital bed, position seat sling, then elevate head of bed to facilitate placing back piece.
6. Place sling folded half-way under patient so lower edge of seat is slightly below the knees.
7. Roll patient towards attendant. Pull sling through (like positioning draw sheet).
8. If patient is in chair, you may place sling under patient without lifting patient by following these few simple steps:
a. Have leg flaps open.
b. Have patient lean forward slightly and slide open portion of sling down to seat and lay leg flaps alongside patient's legs.
c. Grasp leg flap on one side of patient and, while holding against knee, pull leg flap forward; repeat with other side until sling is in correct position.
d. Bring flap under one thigh and insert ring (A) into snap (A). Repeat for other leg, inserting ring (B) into snap (B), thus enclosing a thigh in each leg flap.
e. If you wish to use the sling without containing the thighs, follow instructions above but bring ring (A) to snap (B) and ring (B) to snap (A), crisscrossing flaps under the leg.
9. It will help to raise the head of bed after sling is positioned if patient is in a hospital bed.
FOR SLINGS/LIFTS WITH CHAINS:
1. Attach the S-hooks of the chain to the loops of the seat hangers. Hooks should be inserted AWAY from the patient to the outside of the sling.
2. Attach the ends of the chains to the swivel bar hooks. You may hook any link of chain into the swivel bar hook to adjust the height of sling from floor. Make sure links are equal on each side.
3. Attach the S-hooks of the back in links 1,2 or 3, as required. Count links to be sure there are the same number on each side. Check to see that S-hooks are hooked all the way into the chains. DO NOT PLACE S-HOOKS OF BACK INTO EXCESS PORTION OF CHAIN BUT INTO LINKS BETWEEN SEAT AND SWIVEL BAR!
4. Patient's arms should be outside chains if possible. He may hold onto chains if desired.
5. Check chains and S-hooks to see that they are properly positioned.
FOR OTHER SLINGS WITH CHAINS ONLY:
1. The 133-S-C chain has the 9th link painted red. Attach the S-hook closest to this link into the hole of the back part. Attach the S-hook of the opposite end into the hole in the seat part of the sling (one chain attached per side). Make sure the S-hooks are hooked all the way into the holes. Hooks should be inserted AWAY from the patient and to the outside of sling.
2. Move the lifter so open end of U-base or end of C-base is under side of bed.
3. Hook the 9th link of the chain (painted red) into the end of the swivel bar. Check to see that links are hooked all the way into the swivel bar. Posture of patient can be changed by varying the link hooked into the swivel bar. It is important that the section of chain from the swivel bar to the patient's back be SHORTER than the section between swivel bar and thigh of patient.
4. Patient's arms may be outside of sling, if desired.
5. STEPS 20-24 FOR SLINGS WITH WEB STRAPS ONLY. S-hooks of the shortest straps of the web straps are hooked into the holes of the back. Make sure "S" hooks are hooked all the way into the holes. Hooks should be inserted AWAY from the patient and to the outside of the sling. Hole to use varies for each individual. Practice to see which is more comfortable.
6. Hook the center strap into the top hole of the seat and the last strap into the last hole of the seat. Make sure S-hooks are hooked all the way into the holes. Hooks should be inserted AWAY from the patient to the outside of the sling.
7. Move the lifter so open end of U-base or end of C-base is under side of bed.
8. Hook the D-rings of the web straps into the swivel bar hooks.
9. Check to see that lower edge of seat is still close to knees and S-hooks are still properly positioned.
10. Pump hydraulic jack handle. Partially lift the patient; check S-hooks and swivel bar for proper hook-up. Continue pumping. Steering handle may be held to steady the pumping.
11. Raise patient until buttocks are just clear of the bed. Swing patient's feet off bed and turn patient to face mast. Grasp steering handles and move patient away from bed. Lower patient as soon as he is clear of bed to keep center of gravity low. Position patient over chair or commode. You may have to raise him from the lower position. U-base or C-base fits around chair. Wheelchair may be
brought and positioned under patient. Lock wheelchair locks prior to lowering patient into chair.
If jack has a pin release, press handle SLOWLY towards pump body. Lower patient slowly. Guide his descent. Push gently on his knees as he is being lowered so correct sitting position will result. After reaching seat, press handle against pin and press down on boom.
If the jack has a turn knob release, lower patient by turning the release knob gently to the left. Guide his descent. Push gently on his knees as he is being lowered so correct sitting position will result. After reaching seat, open release knob a turn and press down on boom.
Detach web straps/chains from swivel bar and move lifter away. Then remove web straps/chains from sling. Patient may remain on sling or sling may be removed in reverse of above.
TO RETURN PATIENT TO BED:
1. Same procedure in reverse. Check to see that S-hooks are properly positioned in sling. Make sure S-hooks are not caught on chair arms as patient is being lifted. 2. Center patient over bed and lower gently. USING SLING FOR COMMODE USE (MODELS 9, 111, 113, 115, 117 & 127)
1. Keep web straps or chains taut to hold patient in a comfortable sitting position.
2. Adjust clothing before moving lifter to straddle commode.
USE CARE, DISCRETION AND COMMON SENSE TO DETERMINE IF A SEVERELY SPASTIC OR HANDICAPPED PERSON CAN BE LIFTED WITH A HOYER LIFTER.
PLEASE NOTE: Web straps (W-C) are the only set to be used with the 110, 111, 114, 115 and 127 slings. 133-S-C or 132-S-C chains are the only set to be used with 112, 113, 117, 118 and 123 slings. 134-S-C chains are the only chain set to be used with the 9 sling.
WASHING INSTRUCTIONS
Machine wash warm or cold. Air dry or very low dryer heat. DO NOT USE BLEACH. Do not wash with other colors. Remove bars before washing. (The bars and seat hangers of the two-piece slings are not removable. It is recommended that these be hand washed.
This page shows some of the most popular slings:
Hoyer Lift and Sling Compatibility Table
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