Benefits of Ceiling Hoists for Ambulation and Gait Training in Physiotherapy Wards
The benefits of a Ceiling Hoist for Physiotherapy Departments in assessment, transfer, ambulation and Gait Training are clear.
In terms of the Physiotherapy assessments such as rating on the Berg Balance Scale or Fugl-Meyer Assessment or Chedoke-McMaster Stroke Assessments Ceiling Hoists can allow quick, safe and efficient assessments to be achieved in the Physiotherapy Wards.
For exercises and Physiotherapy programmes with the correct standing sling, ambulation is safe, easy and allows modular interaction of the hoist when required (eg the OT200 can drive a patient forward/ backward when encouragement is needed, but allow the patient to freely walk when able). The patient is also able to practice turning, balancing and use the equipment.
Lastly Overhead or Ceiling Hoists allow safe transfer from the chair or couch to the Physiotherapy equipment without taking up valuable space in the ward. In addition to the clinical benefits there are labour savings as the correct equipment is proven to reduce the staff input when transferring allowing a quick return on investment.
Our latest physiotherapy project was in Kuwait where the OpeMed team advised on the layout and assisted its local dealer on the installation and training for the correct use of ceiling hoists throughout the MOH government hospital’s physiotherapy departments.
The MOH Adan Hospital Physiotherapy Unit choose the OT200 in its Ladies and Paediatric wards both for Gait Training, reducing the risk of injury during transfer from the seating to the standing position and for general ambulation training and rehabilitation. The advantage of the OT200 with the Standing Harness is the patient can be left alone to practice ambulation and Gait Training, or in case of the Paediatric patient to enjoy being mobile, turning and leaning whilst all in a safe and secure standing position.
The Ceiling Track layout was a large “J” shape in the adult wards to give quick and easy transfer from the couches to the parallel walking bars and H systems in the Paediatric Wards, allowing total freedom for the children to exercise and enjoy movement.
The OpeMed slings for Gait Training are available in a wide range of sizes from infant through to bariatric sizes and are easy and quick to fit.
The OT200 hoist allows the patient to practice ambulation by walking forward, turning freely and walking backwards and when assistance is needed then the Overhead Ceiling Hoist can drive the patient forward or backward to promote walking. Patients from many levels of the Berg Balance Scale can benefit from the OT200 Ceiling Hoist and Walking harness.
For more information or discuss the benefits of a Ceiling Hoist in Physiotherapy please contact OpeMed.
