title: Should my patient use a mechanical lift? Part 2: algorithm and case application.
abstract: The use of algorithms for safe patient handling in the acute care setting has been established and integrated into the standards of practice. This is not the case in the home care setting where the patient and caregivers are at risk for injury during patient transfers. Many factors need to be assessed before recommending a mechanical lift for home use. Some of the factors include the patient's weight-bearing status, cognitive level, and upper extremity strength, and the caregiver's ability to lift more than 35 pounds. All of these factors have been included in the clinical decision-making algorithm described in this article. Two case scenarios are presented to assist the reader with the analysis and application of the algorithm.
authors.affiliation: Brenda Douglas, PhD, RN, is an Associate Clinical Professor, School of Nursing, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts. Diane Fitzpatrick, PT, DPT, MS, GCS, is an Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts. Ann Golub-Victor, PT, DPT, MPH, is an Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts. Susan M. Lowe, PT, DPT, MS, GCS, is the Director of the Transitional DPT Program, College of Professional Studies, Bouve College of Health Science, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Golub-Victor
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lowe
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D017028:Caregivers; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055805:Moving and Lifting Patients / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D061214:Patient Safety; D012307:Risk Factors; D016474:Weight-Bearing