During an evaluation carried out by manual handling course participants at The Princess of Wales Hospital, Bromsgrove, the recently launched Liko™ Slide Sheets from Hill-Rom® came out top against one of its main competitors.
The evaluation was co-ordinated by Alison Shearsmith, Manual Handling Advisor Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and Worcestershire Primary Care Trust. It involved staff from both Trusts, including staff from five community hospitals in Worcester, and community based staff.
Two manoeuvres were carried out during the evaluation: 1) Sliding a patient up the bed and 2) Rolling the patient. Both tasks are essential in a care environment and performed regularly. The staff were not told which makes of slide sheet they were using they were simply referred to as grey (Liko™) and purple (competitor).
“The Liko™ Slide Sheet provides sufficient material to grip and is most useful when handling larger patients.” commented Alison Shearsmith. The Slide Sheet is an excellent aid to facilitate the application of slings, especially when handling bariatric patients, pain-sensitive patients and patients with contractures. The Liko™ Slide Sheet are available in several sizes. The short models are mainly used to facilitate the application of the sling in a wheelchair or under the patient’s legs. These models have unique small pockets which facilitate application in, for example, a narrow wheelchair. The larger sizes are also used to apply a sling under a supine patient and have loops in the upper edge to facilitate the attachment of the sliding sheet to the bed.
Alison continued: “Part of my role is to make staff aware of the different product options which are available. Working with Hill-Rom® on this type of evaluation results in a better informed workforce. Managers are therefore better equipped to make well informed judgements when buying equipment.”
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