Bariatric Transfers & Manual Handling

This section looks at equipment designed for safe bariatric transfers, making it easier for carers to move the heaviest individuals without risking injury either to themselves or to the client. Improving comfort and dignity for the person being transferred is also a prime consideration.

Click the links to go straight to each topic:

Bariatric hoists
Bariatric repositioning in bed
Other transfer aids
Weighing scales

 

Bariatric hoists

Hoisting systems are available from a number of suppliers, for bariatric transfers to meet the needs of heavier patients.

Shown here is a twin bariatric hoist, which has a safe working load 454 kg (71 stone). By employing two cassettes for bariatric transfers – which can also be used separately for less demanding situations – the system provides better value for money.

You can simply switch between a single or twin lift in a few minutes, by disengaging one of the cassettes.

A single spreader bar system is used for all operations, to make life easier for carers, and it is possible to raise or lower just one spreader bar at a time, so that the patient can be moved into a more comfortable position during the transfer.

As well as ceiling track hoists, there are also freestanding mobile and portable gantry type lifts available to transport heavier loads.

For information about the various options, visit our hoisting section.

A weighing scale is often available as a hoist accessory, so that patients’ weight can be monitored.

Bariatric slings are also available either from the hoist manufacturer or a specialist sling supplier, to work with the hoist.
 
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Bariatric repositioning in bed

One particularly challenging transfer, which needs to be undertaken very frequently, is turning and repositioning in bed.

Patients who have little or no mobility are particularly susceptible to pressure damage, so must be repositioned frequently to minimise the risk, in addition to any regular movements required in the course of attending to hygiene and other daily needs.

Shown here is a unique powered turning system, which can be used with patients weighing up to 400 kg (63 stone). It consists of two powered rollers and sidebars, which fit to each side of a profiling bed, with a cotton sheet attached between them, resting on a slide sheet beneath. As one of the rollers turns, it winds in the cotton sheet, gently initiating a turning movement. The carer can use their free hand to guide the patient into the desired position.

And because it is fully powered, the system is commonly operated by a single caregiver, even when transferring very heavy individuals.

Alternatively, for repositioning immobile bariatric patients in bed, a heavyweight repositioning sheet, which remains on the bed, can be used. If combined with an overhead hoist, the repositioning sheet can enable one carer to move and turn a patient safely.
 
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Other bariatric transfers

Apart from hoists, there are a number of other aids to assist with short distance transfers of bariatric patients.

Simple equipment, such as heavy duty transfer slides, as shown here, can facilitate moves from wheelchair to easychair, bed to wheelchair, etc. The unique shape of these boards enable them to be used for an angled transfer as well as straight side to side. The model with handles can also be used for moving independently across a smooth surface, if the client has sufficient upper body strength to do this.

For emergency transfers of largely immobile bariatric clients, we have information here about the new S-CAPEPOD.

This type of aid is only likely to be suitable for patients at the lower end of the obesity scale, and care should always be taken to minimise manual handling for the safety of both carer and patient.

For patients who can weight-bear, at least for a short time, a heavy duty standing transfer aid may be suitable.

The one shown here can be used with people weighing up to 31 stone (200 kg). The supportive kneepads can be adjusted easily to suit the height of the user.

It can be used to move a patient from a sitting to standing position, or to transfer them in a standing position, with the use of the retractable safety belt.

The foot tray can be removed, allowing the stand aid to be used for walking rehabilitation purposes.
 
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Weighing scales

It is essential to have accurate scales available so that proper care can be given to bariatric patients.

This is in order to monitor any changes in weight, either increasing or decreasing, and to assess which equipment can be safely used for transport, etc, without risk to either carer or patient.

These digital scales are portable, and can be used with a wide range of hoists, by simply clipping the scale to the coathanger-style spreader bar.

Alternatively, the hoist or standing aid may come with its own built-in weighing scale.

And another option for patients with limited mobility, is a wheelchair scale, which is safe and easy to use.

There are both precision mechanical scales and digital electronic ones.

 
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