Ceiling hoists are a good alternative to floor hoists especially when you want to move patients around the room. However unlike floor hoists you will also need to take into account tracks for the ceiling hoist to go through. There are also other factors that need to be considered when you think about which ceiling hoist to use. We list some of those factors in today’s blog.
Design
Do you want a portable or permanent ceiling hoist? While all ceiling hoists will need to use an overhead track to attach the ceiling hoist to there are different options of attachments.
Some ceiling hoists are a permanent fixture to an indoor ceiling track meaning that they are installed in one room and remain there constantly. However there are others that are available with portable frames and attachments meaning that you can use them for rooms.
Therefore if you only need a ceiling hoist for one room then a permanent one might be the most ideal for you. However if you plan on taking the ceiling hoist from room to room then you might want to consider investing in a portable ceiling hoist.
It is also worthwhile to consider 3 track options:
Track 1: Room Covering System (‘H’ Track)
This track system is designed to give maximum flexibility and coverage within the room. It’s often less visible in the room due to the rails located in the corners of the room while the traverse rail can be parked at one end. It provides the possibility of transferring anywhere within the room including floor lifts.
Track 2: Single Track System
Installed in a fixed location the system provides the possibility of simply transferring the user from point A to point B.
Track 3: Fully Integrated, Multi-room System
The ultimate in ceiling hoist systems as its name suggests it allows the ceiling hoist to traverse through a number of rooms and locations including doorways, hallways and corridors. It utilises a wide range of components to allow the ceiling hoist to cover multiple rooms.
Lift Motor Functionality
The majority of ceiling hoists uses a motor system in one way or another. However among ceiling hoists there are two that are most common.
A two-function motor are used to lift and lower patients by simply pushing a button however one consideration to take is how they require caregivers to manually push the patient along the ceiling track once the patient is lifted.
On the other hand four-function motors offer the same powered lifting and lowering, but also have a motorized method for moving patients across the track.
Weight Capacity
Weight capacity is another thing to take into consideration as each ceiling hoist has their own specific weight capacity. Most ceiling hoist are able to support between 200 – 275kg however for users that are considered bariatric it would be worth considering bariatric ceiling hoists. Because no one is the same as the other the weight capacity of ceiling hoists is crucial when planning your ceiling hoist system.
Limited or Extensive Lifting Range
Just like floor hoists, ceiling hoists have different ranges they are capable of reaching. This differs from one hoist to another as some are capable of lifting across the width of the room while others have less lifting range.
Ensure that when you are purchasing your ceiling hoist system it is perfectly formatted to the room; you can do that by measuring the height the user requires for lifting such as bed surface to maximum height, chair surface to maximum height etc.
These are merely some tips to keep in mind while designing and considering ceiling hoist systems. If you’re unsure whether a ceiling hoist is right for you or if you need some help in choosing the right one our experienced Archability team are ready to help you. Simply call us on 02 9649 2111 or send us an email to [email protected].
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