Problem
Our work has shown that floor lifts are unsafe. Pushing and turning these devices requires too much force to be exerted by caregivers and increases worker’s risk of back injury – particularly with bariatric (very large) patients. So we prefer that healthcare workers use overhead lifts whenever possible. However, it is not possible to put overhead lift track everywhere so a mobile lift is still needed.
Existing bariatric floor lifts weight 400lbs by themselves and have a capacity of lifting 1000lbs patients. So a healthcare worker may end up maneuvering 1400lbs! This is like pushing around a small car like a Volkswagen Beetle or Smart Car that weighs ~1700lbs.
Goal
Working closely with, Tollos, we are designing the next generation of floor lifts that can have powered drive wheels that allow it to be driven.
TRI Home and Community Team