Department of Labor statistics routinely cite musculoskeletal disorders (MSD’s) as one of the major sources of injuries to healthcare workers.  Americans are older and heavier than ever, and as a result, healthcare workers now have a MSD incident rate that is 7 times the average of other industries.  Most industry experts agree that patient handling tasks such as repositioning patients, lifting patients in and out of bed, and placing patients on exam tables put healthcare workers at increased risk for MSD’s.  There is also a general consensus that mechanical lifts can improve safety for patients and healthcare providers alike.

Hospitals and clinics use two styles of patient lifts to reduce MSD’s:  portable lifts and permanently installed, ceiling style patient lifts.  Although portable, rolling sling require no installation and can be moved from room to room, ceiling-mounted patient lifts offer added patient and caregiver safety.  When considered a permanently mounted overhead patient lift system, special care must be taken to design and install adequate support structure to ensure the safety of the patient and staff members.  Failure of the support structure can have catastrophic consequences. 

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