A buying guide to patient-handling equipment

Start with the case mix, not the catalogue

The right equipment mix depends on how much a ward's patients can bear weight, how often transfers happen, and how much space is available at the bedside — not on which product looks most capable on paper.

Three questions to answer first

1. What proportion of patients are full-assist versus stand-assist?
2. How many lateral transfers happen per shift, and between which surfaces?
3. What's the tightest bedside clearance equipment needs to work in?

Matching equipment to the answers

• Mostly stand-assist, supported transfers: a powered standing aid such as EasiMoveSPU™ reduces carer load without needing a full hoist.
• Mostly full-assist, frequent lateral moves: an air-assisted system such as EasiAir™ reduces shear and manual effort on bed-to-trolley transfers.
• Mixed case mix, ward-wide: a mobile hoist such as EasiLift™ paired with the EasiSling™ range covers the broadest range of patients.

Talk to someone before you commit

A short conversation about your actual case mix will get you to the right configuration faster than working through a spec sheet alone.