With portable lifts, transporting patients has never been easier! Lifts help caretakers move patients with little to no effort. Portable lifts, in particular, have wheels attached to the bottom for easy transport, are lightweight, and often fold down for easy storage.
If you are looking to buy a lift for you or your patient, there’s a lot you should know before you choose one for purchase. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list so you can find one that is perfect for you! Read on to find out!
Your Comprehensive Guide to Purchasing a Portable Patient Lift
Type of Lift
The most important thing to consider before purchasing a lift is the type of lift you want to buy. Here is a list of all the different types of portable patient lifts and what each is used for:
- Electric: Electric lifts are the most common and easy-to-use lifts on the market. They utilize a full-body sling that fully supports patients as they are being transferred. Moreover, electric lifts operate using a rechargeable battery, making it easier than ever to move patients smoothly and comfortably.
- Manual: Like electric lifts, manual lifts typically use a full-body sling to transport patients. However, rather than using a rechargeable battery for operation, a caretaker must use a hand pump, which activates the hydraulic cylinders. While less ergonomic than electric lifts, manual ones are still very easy to use, regardless of the patient’s weight.
- Stand-Up: Unlike manual or electric lifts, stand-up lifts utilize a standing sling. Basically, stand-up lifts only help to secure patients when they are being transferred as well as support them while walking. These lifts are the perfect option for patients who can walk and move around but still need help. However, if you or your patient is in need of full-body support when being transported, a manual or electric lift would be the best option.
- Pool: The last type of portable patient lift is the pool lift. These lifts can be manual or electric, but they only help to transport patients in and out of swimming pools. It is important to note, however, that portable pool lifts are not ADA compliant. ADA compliant pool lifts are mandatory for any public pools.
Check out this comprehensive buying guide that will help you choose the right electric, manual, stand-up, or pool lift for you.
Type of Slings
As noted above, there are many different types of portable patient lifts, as well as varying slings that come with the lifts. Amica Medical Supply sells every patient lift with a complimentary sling that is compatible with the model purchased. However, it’s important to understand what each type of sling is used for before you purchase your patient lift. Here are the main types of slings for purchase:
- U-Sling: These are generally regarded as the easiest slings to use because they do not go fully underneath a person, but they offer full-body support. They simply sit behind a person’s back and underneath an individual’s knees, rather than under the bottom. If you or your patient has a wheelchair, this is probably the best option. Some U-slings even come with head-support, which makes transportation easy and comfortable.
Check out this article on how to use a U-sling.
- Full-Body: Full-body slings have similar benefits to U-slings. However, they differ in one major way: full-body slings are a full seat, so they must be positioned under the patient’s body to transport. In the end, full-body slings offer slightly more support than U-slings, but ultimately are a little harder to place the patient in if the patient cannot move on their own.
- Standing: These slings are compatible with the stand-up lift. They help patients to stand up and aid in helping them walk. Ultimately, standing slings do not offer as much support as U-slings or full-body ones.
- Toileting: Toileting slings are great for patients who cannot stand up on their own. This sling can help patients use the restroom without having to move from the wheelchair to the toilet or from the sling to the toilet.
>> You can shop for slings here.
Portability
Lastly, it’s important to consider other aspects of the lift you want to buy. It’s important to make sure the weight of the sling is easy enough for you to move, the wheels turn easily, and the entire lift can be folded down for easy storage. The Hoyer Professional Advance-E Portable Electric Patient Lift, for example, is one of the best options for portability.
This lift can support up to 340 pounds, yet only weighs 76 pounds, making it strong and easy to maneuver. Moreover, it’s advanced tapered-leg design makes it easier for the lift to get closer wideset obstacles. The design also gives added support to the patient so he or she feels secure when being transferred.
In addition, this design is one of the only ones on the market that can fold down for storage without using any tools, making it the ideal portable model!
Buy Your Portable Patient Lift Today!
Now that you know everything you need to about portable patient lifts, it’s time to start shopping for one that is right for you! Amica Medical Supply has the products you need at the prices you want. Contact them today for more information!
