Product Application: Safe Patient Lifting

Every day EMS professionals are called to lift fallen patients, meaning agencies face the daily challenge of workforce safety.  The repetitive nature of lifting can cause injury and subsequently lost work days.

Mangar’s ELK lifting cushion reduces injury risk by minimizing the amount of manual handling required. The compact, portable and battery-powered lifting cushion inflates at a push of a button, raising patients from the floor to a seated position.  This makes it easy for them to be transferred off or stand.

Chris Mulberry, assistant chief paramedic of Platte Valley Ambulance Service in Colorado, says his agency uses the lifting cushion and is very satisfied with the results.

“The nice part is that it’s not big or heavy, and can be used anywhere," Mulberry says.

The ELK can be used to lift patients of any age and weighing up to 1,000 lbs. It provides a comfortable, stable and most importantly, dignified lift.

Chris Lokits of Louisville Metro EMS says the lifting cushions has been “a blessing."

“When doing a lift assist by myself I am confident that I can successfully get the patient up without hurting them or myself,” he says.

Mulberry says the cushion is especially useful when handling older patients.

“With elderly patients some have more fragile skin because of the medications they take.  The cushion makes the lift safer and more comfortable because we don’t need to grab or yank the patient.”

Lokits says some elderly patients had concerns at first that the cushion was not stable but after a short explanation those concerns subsided.

The ELK can be used indoors or outdoors, and it is particularly useful if someone has fallen in a confined space.  Providers can shimmy or roll a patient onto the cushion, and once correctly positioned, the ELK is inflated using a handset.  Providers no longer have to dead-lift patients, reducing the risk of injury.

Even though some contact with the patient is still required, Lokits says the product increases safety for both the patient and the provider. 

“With a decrease in IODs and workman’s compensation claims, I believe this device will soon pay for itself.  It’s invaluable. “

Prior to using the ELK lifting cushion, Mulberry says his agency lifted patients manually. He’s been extremely pleased with the results and says, “EMS people are hard on equipment, but this product is durable and stands up to any EMS use."

To learn more about the Mangar ELK lifting cushion or other products visit mangarusa.com.