191 section 7 Contents • Usingequipmentformovingandhandlingpeople • Typesofequipment • Examplesofmovingandhandlingequipment – Slidesheets – Transferbelts – Transferboards – Air‑assistedtransferdevices – Electricprofilingbeds – Mobilehoists – Standinghoists – Ceilinghoists – Gantryhoists – Fixedwallhoists – Slings – Stretchers – Wheelchairs – Standingandpivotingaids (non‑electric) – Showerandbathequipment – Emergencyequipment – Othertypesofequipment andaids • Referencesandresources. Note:Allimagesandotherreferencestoequipmentshowninthissectionare providedforillustrativepurposesonly.Theyarenot,andshouldnotbetakenas, endorsementsofspecificequipmentorsuppliers. Equipment for moving and handling people 192 7.1 Using equipment for moving and handling people Thissectiondescribesthemaintypesandfunctionsofequipmentformovingand handlingpeople.Section8oftheGuidelines,‘Equipmentmanagement’,covers equipmentprocurementsystems,maintaininganequipmentregisterandequipment storage,maintenanceandreplacement. Equipmentisacorecomponentineffectivemovingandhandlingprogrammes, togetherwithriskassessments,theuseofcorrecttechniques,stafftrainingand appropriatefacilitydesign.Thesupplyofequipmentbyitselfwillnotleadtoreduced ratesofinjuryunlessequipmentuseispartofacomprehensivemovingandhandling programme.Successfulprogrammesprovidebothequipmentandtraininginhowto usespecificitemsofequipmentforlifting,transferringandrepositioningclients. Theproperuseofequipmentisessentialforthesafetyofbothclientsandcarersand improvesthequalityofclientcare.Equipmentcanalsofacilitateclientrehabilitation, decreasemorbidityandpreservethedignityofclients.Comparedwithtechniques thatinvolvemanualtransfersofclientswithoutequipment,theuseofequipment lessenstheforcesrequiredformovingandhandlingclientsandcanreducetherisks. Movingandhandlingequipmentalsoimprovesclientoutcomes,suchasreducing theirlengthofstayandtheriskofcomplicationssuchasdeepveinthrombosis,chest infections,urinarytractinfections,pressureulcers,skintearsandfalls. Having‘fit‑for‑purpose’equipmentisoneofthemostimportantaspectsofmoving andhandlingprogrammes.Newmovingandhandlingequipmentisconstantly beingdeveloped.Withtheincreasingcomplexityofequipmentandtechnological developments,informationaboutspecificequipmentcanbecomeoutdated. Managersresponsibleforpurchasingequipment,andpeopleprovidingtraining inequipmentuse,needtokeepuptodatewithdevelopmentsinequipmentfor movingandhandlingpeople.Theprimaryfocusofthissectionisondescriptionsof equipmentandspecificfeatures.Specificproceduresforusingequipment,suchas slidesheets,slingsandhoists,aredescribedinSection4Techniquesformovingand handlingpeople. 193 Section 7: equipment for moving and handling people 7.2 Types of equipment Table7.1showsthemaintypesofequipmentusedformovingpeople,andexamples ofcommonuses.Sometypesofequipmentareknownbyseveralnames,asshown. Detaileddescriptionsofeachtypeofequipmentareprovidedlaterinthissection. Forsomecategoriesofequipment,thereareseveralrelatedtypes,whichmayhave differentnames. Table 7.1 Common types of equipment Type of equipment (and alternative names) Description and common uses Slide sheet (slidingsheet,slipperysam) Asheetmadeoflow‑frictionmaterialandusedunderaclient toalloweasyrepositioninginbed,slingattachmentand lateraltransfers Transfer belt (handlingbelt,gaitbelt, walkingbelt) Abeltplacedaroundaclient’swaistduringseveraltypesof transferandforassistedwalkingforrehabilitation.Thereare multipletypesofbelt Transfer board (PATslide,slideboard, bananaboard) Afull‑body‑lengthboardmadefromwoodorplastic,usedto bridgegapsforclienttransfersfromonesurfacetoanother, suchasfromastretcherorwheelchairtoabed.Smallertransfer boardscanalsobeusedforlateral,seated‑to‑seatedtransfers Air‑assisted transfer device Thereareseveraltypes:inflatablemattressesforlateral (bed‑to‑bed)transfersandair‑assistedliftingdevicesor‘jacks’ Electric profiling bed (electricbed) Anelectricallyoperatedbedthathasamattressplatformsplit intotwo,threeorfoursections,whichallowsadjustmentusing acontrolhandsetorpanel Mobile hoist (floorhoist,floorlift,mechanical lift,portablehoist) Ahoistwithwheelsthatcanbemovedalongthefloor–used forliftingaclientinsideaslingoronastretcherdesignedforuse withhoists Standing hoist (sittostandhoist,standinglift, stand‑aidhoist) Aspecifictypeofmobilehoistdesignedtoassistpeoplebetween sittingandstandingpositions.Standinghoistsaredesignedto fitunderandaroundchairs Ceiling hoist (overheadhoist,ceilinglift, mechanicallift,gantryhoist) Ahoistattachedtopermanentlymountedceilingtrackthat movesaclientinsideasling.Gantryhoistshaveoverheadtracks mountedonwheeledframes Sling Afabricsupportusedforcarryingaclientwhilebeingmoved withahoist–therearemultipletypesofsling Stretcher Arigidframeusedtocarryaclientinalyingorsupineposition. Oftenmadeoflightweightmaterialandcommonlyusedin ambulancesandbyemergencyservices.Wheeledstretchersare usedinhospitalsfortransportingclientsbetweenlocations,and shouldbeelectric Wheelchair Amobilechairusedfortransportingaclientinasittingor uprightposition.Bariatricwheelchairsmustbepoweredor movedwithbedpushers 194 Themaintypesofequipmentthatarecommonlyusedcanbesummarisedwithinthe fourmaingroupsofclientmovingandhandlingtasks.Thesegroupsoftasksare: • Sitting,standingandwalking • Bedmobility • Lateraltransfers • Hoisting. Table7.2providesasummaryofthecommontypesofequipmentusedforthese handlingtasks.Therecommendedtechniquesforeachoftasksinthetablebeloware describedinSection5oftheGuidelines. Table 7.2 Handling tasks for which equipment may be used Type of task Examples of specific movements Examples of equipment that could beused Sitting,standingand walking Sittingtostandingfrom achair Transferbelt,standinghoist,mobilehoist, chair‑lifter Standingtosittingonabed Transferbelt Assistedwalking Transferbelt,walker,gutterframe,hoist withwalkingharness Bedmobility Turninginbed Slidesheets,electricbedwith turningfunction Slidingclientupinbed Slidesheets,electricbed Sittingpersonupontoedge ofbed Slidesheets,electricbed,bedaccessories Lateraltransfers Lateraltransferfrombed tostretcher Slidesheets,transferboard,airmattress, standinghoist Transferringfromchair tocommode Ceilinghoist,mobilehoist,seatedtransfer board,standinghoist Transferringtotoilet Ceilinghoist,mobilehoist Hoisting Fittingaslingtoclientinbed Sling Hoistingfrombedtochair Ceilinghoist,mobilehoist,standinghoist Hoistingclientfromfloor Ceilinghoist,mobilehoist,airjack Transferringtotoilet Ceilinghoist,mobilehoist,standinghoist 195 Section 7: equipment for moving and handling people 7.3 Examples of moving and handling equipment Thenextpartofthissectionprovidesexamplesofthemorecommonlyusedtypesof equipmentforclienthandling.Furtherinformationaboutspecifictypesandfunctions ofequipmentcanbeobtainedfromthewebsitesshownattheendofthissection, andfromcompaniessupplyinghealthcareequipmentinNewZealandandAustralia. Traininginproperuseisessentialforalltypesofequipment. Slide sheets Slidesheetsareoneofthemostcommonly usedtypesofequipmentinhealthcare services.Theyareusedtomoveclients horizontallyonbeds,trolleysandchairs withoutlifting.Slidesheetsarerelatively lowcost,havemanyusesandarerelatively simpletouse.Theyavoidtheneedtolift clients,butdespitetheirsimplicitytheydo requiretrainingintheirproperuse. Itisimportantthattheuseofslidesheets isconsistentwithcurrentbestpractice, asdescribedinSection4Techniquesformovingandhandlingpeople.Trainingis necessaryinthecorrectapplicationanduseofslidesheets.Incorrectusecancause injurytobothcarersandclients.Slidesheetsaremadefromlightweightfabricand havelow‑frictionsurfacesthatbecomeveryslipperywhenplacedtogether.They comeindifferentconfigurations:thefabricmaybesewntogethertomakeadouble sheet,ortheymaycomeassinglesheetsthatthecarerfoldsovertoformadouble layer.Twosheetscanalsobeusedtogether.Theymayormaynothavehandlesfor hangingup.Twosinglesheetsarepreferableastheyaremultidirectionalandallow optimalmovement. Thereareseveralhandlingtechniquesthatuseslidesheets(seeSection4Techniques formovingandhandlingpeople).Usingthemunderneathapersonallowsan independentorassistedslidingmovementonabed.Theycanbeusedformanytasks involvinglateraltransfersandrepositioning,suchas: • Movingaclientinbed • Turningaclientontotheirsideinbed • Transferringaclientfromabedtoabedwithatransferboard • Foraclientwhohasfallenintoaconfinedspace;slidesheetscanbeusedto movetheclientalongthefloortoalocationwhereahoistcanbeused • Facilitatingindependentbedmobility. Slidesheetscomeindifferentsizesandtheymaybepaddedorunpadded.Slide sheetswithloopscanbestoredonhooksbesideclients’beds. Slide sheets figure 7.1 196 Points to note about slide sheets • Alwaysconductariskassessmentpriortomovingaclient • Mostslidesheettransfersrequiretwocarers • Theriskassessmentshouldincludeskinintegrity,pressureareas,wounds, attachmentsandsensitivities • Assesspainmanagement • Encouragemobilitywherepossible • Whenmovinglargeclients,ensurethereisasufficientnumberofcorrectly sizedslidesheetsandenoughstaffforthetransfer • Infectioncontrolconsiderationsrequireslidesheetusewithoneclientonly beforebeinglaundered • Slidesheetsshouldbeaccessible besidethebedoftheclientforwhom theyarerequired–asuitablestorage facilityisneeded,suchasahook, containerorfabricholdingbag • Whenaclientisdischargedormoved toanotherlocation,orthesheets becomesoiled,theslidesheets shouldbesentforlaundering • Bed‑to‑bedtransfersshouldalways usebothslidesheetsandatransferboard • Mosttypesofslidesheetaredesignedtobelaundered(seeSection8, Table8.2).Theusualslidesheetlifespanisaround80washes,dependingon thequality • Slidesheetsmustbeinspectedfortearsandotherdamagebeforeuse. Slidesheetscanbeusedmultipletimesonthesameclientandrequirelaundering whensoiled,orbeforeusingwithadifferentclient.Organisationsneedtohavea systemforlaunderingslidesheetsseparatelyfromregularlaundry,asahotwash destroysthefabric,reducingthelifespanoftheslidesheet.Slidesheetcareshouldbe outlinedintheorganisation’smovingandhandlingpolicy.Therearealsodisposable slidesheetsforsingleclientuseonly,whicharediscardedwhennolongerneededfor thatclient. Transfer belts Transferbeltsarefastenedaroundclients’waistsortrunksduringtransfersandfor assistedwalking.Theyareprimarilyforclientswhoaremobile.Themainfunctionof transferbeltsistoassistalmostindependentclientsinmobilising.Theycanalso Store slide sheets beside bed figure 7.2 197 Section 7: equipment for moving and handling people assistwithclientswhomightbedifficulttohold,eitherbecauseofsize,ordiscomfort (malewalkingfemale)orbecausetheclientisuncomfortablewithbeingassisted.The beltscanprovideanextralayerbetweencarersandclients.Beltsdesignedspecifically toassistclientswhenwalkingaresometimesreferredtoas‘gaitbelts’. Transferbeltsareusedtoassistthe developmentofmobilityandrehabilitation forclientswhoareminimallydependent, haveweight‑bearingcapacityand arecooperative.Typesofuseinclude bed‑to‑chair,chair‑to‑chairandchair‑to‑car transfers,repositioningclientsinchairs,and supportingclientswhilewalking. Therearemultipletypesofbelt.Mostbelts aremadeoffabricorcushionedmaterial andhavemultipleloopsorhandholds. Thebeltsaresecuredaroundclients’waistsandadjusteduntiltheyarefirm,not tight.Transferbeltsshouldonlybewornbyclients,neverbycarers. Points to note about transfer belts Therearesomerisksforcarersassociatedwithusingtransferbelts.Forthisreason, somemovingandhandlingcoordinatorsrecommendthattransferbeltsnotbeused forclienttransfers.Ifused,thecarershouldholdontothehandlesfromtheoutside, andneverputtheirthumbsinsideorthroughtheloops(incasetheclientfallsand thecarercannotdisengagetheirhands).Transferbeltsshouldneverbeusedto liftclients. Transfer boards Therearemultipletypesoftransfer boardandrelatedassistivedevices. Full‑body‑lengthtransferboards (sometimeslabelledasPATslidesor TransglidesinNewZealand)areusedto bridgegapsforclientswhoarelyingdown whenslidingbetweentwoadjacentsurfaces atsimilarlevels,suchasfromabedtoa stretcher.Theyareusuallymadeofplastic andshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithslide sheets.Smallertransferboardscanbeused forseat‑to‑seattransfers,suchasbetweenacarseatandawheelchair. Inthepast,rollerboardshavebeenusedaslying‑to‑lyingtransferdevices.These boardshavealoosevinylcoveringthatisdifficulttocleanandpotentiallyaninfection Transfer belt figure 7.3 Full‑length transfer board figure 7.4 198 controlrisk.Theseboardscreaterisksforcarerswhenreachingandrisksforclients withskinshear.Itisrecommendedthatrollerboardsbereplacedwithfull‑length transferboards. Sitting‑to‑sitting transfers Forsitting‑to‑sittinglateraltransfers,a smallertransferboardorslideboardcanbe usedtobridgegapsbetweenadjacentseats. Theseboardscanbestraightorcurvedlike aboomerang(anexampleistheyellow ‘bananaboard’).Smalltransferorslide boardscanbeusedforlateraltransferssuch asthosebetweena: • Chairandwheelchair • Bedandwheelchair • Wheelchairandtoilet • Wheelchairandcar. Curvedtransferboardsmakeiteasiertotransferaroundfixedarmrests.Theboards areusuallyprescribedbytherapists.Notethatclientsshouldhavesittingbalanceto usetheseboardsandbothcarersandclientsrequiretrainingintheiruse.Iffeasible, arrangetohavethesurfacetowhichtheclientisbeingtransferredslightlylowerthan thesurfacefromwhichtheyarebeingtransferred.Thismakesiteasierfortheclient tomove. Air‑assisted transfer devices Thereareanumberofair‑assistedtransfer devicesavailable.Therearetwogeneral types:inflatablemattressesforlateral (e.g.bedtobed)transfersandair‑assisted liftingdevices,or‘jacks’.Thesedevices aregenerallyversatileandcosteffective, especiallyforsmallfacilities. Inflatable mattresses Forlateraltransferswhilelyingdown:the clientliesonthemattresswhiletheclient andmattressaretransferredbetweentwoadjacentsurfaces,andair‑assistedlifting devices.Alateraltransferairmattresscanbeusedasanalternativetoatransfer boardandslidesheets.Themattressesareeffectiveforreducingfriction,andthusthe loadoncarersduringlateraltransfers. Sitting transfer board figure 7.5 Air‑assisted mattress figure 7.6 199 Section 7: equipment for moving and handling people Air jacks Air‑assistedliftingdevices,or‘jacks’,canbeusedtoraiseclientsfromthefloorto bedorstretcherlevelbypumpingairintoanairmattresswithmultiplelayers,which expandverticallyasmoreairispumpedin.Thejackscanbeveryusefulforlifting fallenclientsfromthefloor.Figure7.7showsanexampleofanairjackthatliftsclients inasittingposition.Figure7.8showsa‘Hoverjack’thatliftsclientsinalyingposition fromthefloortobedheight.Alltypesofair‑assisteddevicerequirecarerstosteady theclient,andanairpump. figure 7.7 Air‑assisted jack figure 7.8 Air‑assisted ‘Hoverjack’ Electric profiling beds Anelectricprofilingbedhasamattress platformcomprisingtwo,threeorfour separatesections,eachofwhichcan beadjustedusingacontrolhandsetor panel.Heightadjustmentallowsthebed toberaisedorloweredquicklyforclient movementsandclinicalservices. Someelectricbedshaveonemovable sectioninwhichonlytheheadorbackrest sectioncanberaised,allowingaclienttosit upinbed.Withthesebeds,clientsaremore likelytoslidedownthebedsandmayneedfrequenthelpfromcarers. Example of an electric bed figure 7.9 200 Figure 7.10 Electric bed showing profile positions Thegeneralbenefitsofelectricbedsare: • Promotionofclientmobilityandindependence • Reducedworkloadforstaff • Reductioninmanualhandlingrisksandinjuriestostaff • Reducedincidenceofpressuresoresinclients. Withelectricbeds,staffcanadjusttheheightmoreaccuratelytosuitindividualclient andcarerneeds.Beingabletostandbackandobserveaclientwhileoperatingabed allowsstafftoobservetheclientmovingintodifferentpositions.Improvedclient comfortismorelikelyasadjustmentsofthebedsareusuallysmootherthanwithbeds requiringahydraulicpumpingaction. Allclinicalareasandclientsbenefitfromthebedheightadjustmentthatallowslow bedheights.Electricbedsalsofacilitateclientsgettingoutofbedbyraisingthem closertoastandingposition.Stafftimecanbesavedbythereducedneedformanual handlingofclientsandtheremovalofhydraulicpumpingonnon‑electricbeds. Points to note about electric beds • Mattress compatibility: Someelectricbedsmay requirespecialsectioned mattresses.Bedsrequiring specialmattressesmay meanreplacingbedsas acombinedbedand mattressprocurement • Size:Electricbedscan belarge.Bedswitha longer‑than‑averagelength mayleadtoreducedspace inareassuchasmulti‑bed units.Theycanbedifficult Box 7.1 Compatibility of electric beds and mobilehoists A common problem I have come across is the incompatibility of some cheaper electric beds with mobile hoists. The beds do not allow clear access underneath for the hoist legs to go under. Staff have to push and pull resulting in jerky movements for the resident. There was an incident where electric bed wires under the bed caused an accident when the hoist was pulled over the wires and the patient fell out of the sling. Manufacturers need to provide a way of hooking up the wires out of the way. Source: Manual handling trainer [...]... Ambulances and other emergency service vehicles generally carry multiple types of specialist emergency equipment for moving people 220 Section 7: equipment for moving and handling people Most emergency services have standard ‘pick up and carry’ types of stretcher These can be used in emergencies to move people quickly to other locations These stretchers usually fold into small packages for compact... a remote control 210 Section 7: equipment for moving and handling people Table 7.3 Portable and fixed hoists for ceiling hoist systems Portable hoist unit Fixed hoist unit Charging facility for hoist unit is usually off the track; may be less accessible Option of wall‑mounted docking unit or on‑track charging Manual handling required to attach unit to track No manual handling of hoist unit required... many shapes and sizes All hospital stretchers have wheels or castors and they may be height adjustable Some stretchers are battery operated with similar functions to profiling 218 Section 7: equipment for moving and handling people beds Stretchers are a standard item of equipment in all hospitals and healthcare facilities and services Specialist stretchers include those designed specifically for ambulance... assigned for infection control Mobile hoists can be very cost effective, as they can be moved to different locations in a facility One hoist can be used for a variety of tasks Normally two carers are required when hoisting a client with a mobile hoist.2 2 Procedures for using mobile hoists for specific moving and handling tasks are described in Section 4 ‘Techniques for moving and handling people ...Section 7: equipment for moving and handling people to manoeuvre in tight corners and narrow corridors and through doorways and hospital lifts • Compatibility with other equipment: Mobile hoists usually need positioning under beds Can the supplied mobile hoists fit under the bed at its lowest setting? • Weight and portability: The portability of electric beds is a consideration for community use... Section 7: equipment for moving and handling people Standard or divided leg sling This is a U‑shaped sling and may or may not have upper back and head support Its advantages are that: figure 7.27 Standard sling • It is easy to put on when the client is sitting or lying • It covers a large surface area of the client’s body and is more comfortable than a toilet sling • When the leg bands are positioned... or to stand in a supported manner They range from simple to more technical, such as walkers, transfer belts and stand to sit lifts The Ministry of Health and the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) both publish lists of approved equipment for people with disabilities and limited mobility (see www.accessable.co.nz) Note that these lists cover a very limited range of the moving and handling equipment. .. own laundry; the facility owns the slings and its laundry contractor cleans them as an added service; and the contract laundry service provides the slings in agreement (e.g types, numbers) with the Section 7: equipment for moving and handling people facility and cleans them Note that some external laundering services provide specific brands of sling only • Standard labelling: Each sling should be labelled... 7.32 Framed turning platform A framed turning platform enables a client to stand during a move from seat to seat The framed turning platform may have cushioned knee pads for the client to brace against during the move The client puts their feet on the turntable and pulls themselves up to standing using the Framed turning platform 219 handholds The carer then turns the platform and the client sits down... place Standing hoists are suitable for clients who are partially weight bearing and can support most of their own weight while standing figure 7.19 Example of standing hoist figure 7.20 Example of standaid sling Standing hoists are useful as they allow more access to clients’ clothing than sling hoists For this reason, they are useful for moving clients from one seated position to another and can assist . References and resources. Note:Allimages and otherreferencesto equipment showninthissectionare provided for illustrativepurposesonly.Theyarenot, and shouldnotbetakenas, endorsementsofspecific equipment orsuppliers. Equipment for moving and handling people 192 7.1 Using equipment for moving and handling people Thissectiondescribesthemaintypes and functionsof equipment for moving and handling people. Section8oftheGuidelines, Equipment management’,covers equipment procurementsystems,maintainingan equipment register and equipment storage,maintenance and replacement. Equipment isacorecomponentineffective moving and handling programmes, togetherwithriskassessments,theuseofcorrecttechniques,stafftraining and appropriatefacilitydesign.Thesupplyof equipment byitselfwillnotleadtoreduced ratesofinjuryunless equipment useispartofacomprehensive moving and handling programme.Successfulprogrammesprovideboth equipment and traininginhowto usespecificitemsof equipment for lifting,transferring and repositioningclients. Theproperuseof equipment isessential for thesafetyofbothclients and carers and improvesthequalityofclientcare. Equipment canalsofacilitateclientrehabilitation, decreasemorbidity and preservethedignityofclients.Comparedwithtechniques thatinvolvemanualtransfersofclientswithout equipment, theuseof equipment lessenstheforcesrequired for moving and handling clients and canreducetherisks. Moving and handling equipment alsoimprovesclientoutcomes,suchasreducing theirlengthofstay and theriskofcomplicationssuchasdeepveinthrombosis,chest infections,urinarytractinfections,pressureulcers,skintears and falls. Having‘fit for purpose’ equipment isoneofthemostimportantaspectsof moving and handling programmes.New moving and handling equipment isconstantly beingdeveloped.Withtheincreasingcomplexityof equipment and technological developments,informationaboutspecific equipment canbecomeoutdated. Managersresponsible for purchasing equipment, and people providingtraining in equipment use,needtokeepuptodatewithdevelopmentsin equipment for moving and handling people. Theprimaryfocusofthissectionisondescriptionsof equipment and specificfeatures.Specificprocedures for using equipment, suchas slidesheets,slings and hoists,aredescribedinSection4Techniques for moving and handling people. 193 Section. people Thissectiondescribesthemaintypes and functionsof equipment for moving and handling people. Section8oftheGuidelines, Equipment management’,covers equipment procurementsystems,maintainingan equipment register and equipment storage,maintenance and replacement. Equipment isacorecomponentineffective moving and handling programmes, togetherwithriskassessments,theuseofcorrecttechniques,stafftraining and appropriatefacilitydesign.Thesupplyof equipment byitselfwillnotleadtoreduced ratesofinjuryunless equipment useispartofacomprehensive moving and handling programme.Successfulprogrammesprovideboth equipment and traininginhowto usespecificitemsof equipment for lifting,transferring and repositioningclients. Theproperuseof equipment isessential for thesafetyofbothclients and carers and improvesthequalityofclientcare. Equipment canalsofacilitateclientrehabilitation, decreasemorbidity and preservethedignityofclients.Comparedwithtechniques thatinvolvemanualtransfersofclientswithout equipment, theuseof equipment lessenstheforcesrequired for moving and handling clients and canreducetherisks. Moving and handling equipment alsoimprovesclientoutcomes,suchasreducing theirlengthofstay and theriskofcomplicationssuchasdeepveinthrombosis,chest infections,urinarytractinfections,pressureulcers,skintears and falls. Having‘fit for purpose’ equipment isoneofthemostimportantaspectsof moving and handling programmes.New moving and handling equipment isconstantly beingdeveloped.Withtheincreasingcomplexityof equipment and technological developments,informationaboutspecific equipment canbecomeoutdated. Managersresponsible for purchasing equipment, and people providingtraining in equipment use,needtokeepuptodatewithdevelopmentsin equipment for moving and handling people. Theprimaryfocusofthissectionisondescriptionsof equipment and specificfeatures.Specificprocedures for using equipment, suchas slidesheets,slings and hoists,aredescribedinSection4Techniques for moving and handling people. 193 Section 7: equipment for moving and handling people 7.2 Types of equipment Table7.1showsthemaintypesof equipment used for moving people, and examples ofcommonuses.Sometypesof equipment areknownbyseveralnames,asshown. Detaileddescriptionsofeachtypeof equipment areprovidedlaterinthissection. For somecategoriesof equipment, thereareseveralrelatedtypes,whichmayhave differentnames. Table. people Thissectiondescribesthemaintypes and functionsof equipment for moving and handling people. Section8oftheGuidelines, Equipment management’,covers equipment procurementsystems,maintainingan equipment register and equipment storage,maintenance and replacement. Equipment isacorecomponentineffective moving and handling programmes, togetherwithriskassessments,theuseofcorrecttechniques,stafftraining and appropriatefacilitydesign.Thesupplyof equipment byitselfwillnotleadtoreduced ratesofinjuryunless equipment useispartofacomprehensive moving and handling programme.Successfulprogrammesprovideboth equipment and traininginhowto usespecificitemsof equipment for lifting,transferring and repositioningclients. Theproperuseof equipment isessential for thesafetyofbothclients and carers and improvesthequalityofclientcare. Equipment canalsofacilitateclientrehabilitation, decreasemorbidity and preservethedignityofclients.Comparedwithtechniques thatinvolvemanualtransfersofclientswithout equipment, theuseof equipment lessenstheforcesrequired for moving and handling clients and canreducetherisks. Moving and handling equipment alsoimprovesclientoutcomes,suchasreducing theirlengthofstay and theriskofcomplicationssuchasdeepveinthrombosis,chest infections,urinarytractinfections,pressureulcers,skintears and falls. Having‘fit for purpose’ equipment isoneofthemostimportantaspectsof moving and handling programmes.New moving and handling equipment isconstantly beingdeveloped.Withtheincreasingcomplexityof equipment and technological developments,informationaboutspecific equipment canbecomeoutdated. Managersresponsible for purchasing equipment, and people providingtraining in equipment use,needtokeepuptodatewithdevelopmentsin equipment for moving and handling people. Theprimaryfocusofthissectionisondescriptionsof equipment and specificfeatures.Specificprocedures for using equipment, suchas slidesheets,slings and hoists,aredescribedinSection4Techniques for moving and handling people. 193 Section