Hoist advice

[aliableu]

Hi I’m new to this site . Looking for some advice
Mum is currently in care she needs to be lifted out of bed into a wheelchair or armchair. The home uses a hoist to move her around for all her daily needs
My question is should they remove the black hoist sling from under my mum when she’s sitting in a chair or her wheelchair as it must be uncomfortable.The staff say if they remove it difficult getting it back underneath hence reason she sits on it all day .

 

[backin]

When mum was able to be hoisted into a chair, the thing was kept in place. I know the hard plastic clips annoyed her at times but can't really see how they could be removed easily without causing problems.
She can't sit in a chair now so the problem did go

 

[aliableu]

Thanks Backin Im just concerned if the folds of the material might cause her to get a pressure sore .

 

[amIinthewrong?]

Thanks Backin Im just concerned if the folds of the material might cause her to get a pressure sore .

It’s one of those conundrums, has you’re mother said or looked uncomfortable with it still being there when she is in her chair, also I’m thinking if she needs to be moved like onto the toilet,but they need what shes sat on to move her so it is going to take more time to remove and then put it back under.💐💐

 

[steph122]

the slings should be removed or there is a risk of pressure sores which is abuse. A sling can be removed and attached using a slide sheet, which all residents should have as they are one person use. Staff should be confident on how to use a slide sheet and the only reason why the sling is left in place is to save time. Has the home got enough carers and nurses, you need to raise your concerns and ensure it is written down, good luck

 

[Jerseygirl]

Hi. When i got the hoist for my mum the Occupational Health specialist told me they should be removed when she is sat.

 

[Sirena]

My mother is hoisted (she's in a care home) and the sling is always removed. And when I see other residents hoisted, ditto.

 

[helpingpeggy]

Hello, assessing people for hoists and slings is part of my work. There are slings that are designed to be left in place under the person in the chair. They’re usually made of special fabric that’s breathable. Sometimes it better to use one of these slings and leave it in place, rather than try to remove it and then refit it each time.

 

[sdmhred]

Mum has just upgraded her wheelchair and we now have an in situ sling as @helpingpeggy describes. It makes the process of transfer much less stressful for mum As less being touched and moved around. All the residents with the larger wheelchairs are managed this way.

 

[Jessbow]

How can a sling be removed from under a person sitting in a chair if they cannot weight bear?

How would a slide sheet help? We roll m in law onto her sling, and roll her again when shes back in bed to remove it, while shes up, it stays under her

 

[Louise7]

Hello @aliableu and welcome to the Forum. It's understandable that you are concerned about the sling being left under your mum, but as mentioned above, there are 'in-situ' slings that can be left underneath whilst someone is in a chair, and these are made differently from the standard slings. My mum's care home had a selection of both, and there should be a specific risk assessment in place for your mum regarding the use of slings to ensure that whatever type of sling is used it is the appropriate type and safe. For a while we had frequent issues with mum's care home staff as the nurses stated that she should not be left sitting on the sling - unless it was an in-situ one - but the care staff would continue to leave mum sitting on a standard sling, seemingly because it was easier for them to do so. Hopefully the posts here have been helpful to you, but if you have concerns about your mum and her sling it's also best to raise these with the care home, and ask to see the relevant risk assessments too.