A Process for the Selection of a Patient Handling Ceiling Lift Manufacturer

Many health care institutions are faced with challenges associated with safe patient handling and movement. Musculoskeletal disorders associated with patient handling can have a deleterious effect on staffing levels, clinical experience, and ultimately patient care. The cost of these injuries can be staggering, having a direct impact on the afflicted persons and the institution. Bariatric patient handling can be particularly challenging. Through use of our Expanded OSHA 300 Log, we learned that the obese present caregivers with a heightened level of risk of injury. Couple this with the nonreimbursement of nosocomial skin breakdown and pneumonia as pertains to patient repositioning and transfers from bed and the need for reducing the risk of injury becomes paramount. After evaluation of alternative means of reducing the risk of caregiver injury in conjunction with the need for more frequent patient handling, a commitment was made to invest in ceiling lifts as a means to an end. This article describes the business case and process that was used for the selection of a ceiling lift manufacturer with which to partner in this endeavor.