Stairs are one of the most common barriers to discharge. They are also one of the most common scenes of falls- a major contributor to hospital admissions.
So long as there is someone at home with them, re-issue of a stairclimber- at a cost of less than £1000 and often expediated within days- can positively impact both problems. The risk of falling safely managed and the patient can be safely discharged, and, without the need to allocate significant social care intervention.
"It’s a win:win situation. One piece of kit- often already available within Equipment Stores, can both help prevent falls, and help speed up the discharge process. And it can help multiple people over its lifespan. It just requires the healthcare professionals to change their way of thinking and working, to be more proactive in embracing the new options available.” Peter Wingrave, AAT Director
From a fall prevention strategy, using a stairclimber can contribute towards improved safety and reduced risk of falls within the home. The risk of a fall on the stairs is eliminated. As the stairclimber is not fixed to the staircase, it can move the person beyond to wherever they need to be within the home, thereby reducing the number of transfers for someone with reduced mobility- and potential to fall.
From a discharge perspective, patients live in houses where, because of reduced short or long term mobility, they cannot go up and down stairs. Or- in the case of 20% of the population, they live in a flat, so become homebound- or trapped in hospital- because of stairs.
How it works
AAT’s battery-powered stairclimber is Class 1 Medical Device certified. The free-standing unit requires no installation, just training of an appropriate person to operate it. When not in use, it folds compactly away, optimising use of space within the household.
AAT’s stairclimber has an impeccable safety record, with thousands of units already at Social Services’ disposal nationwide. With the addition of its unique Universal Back, one stairclimber can be adapted to suit any user, irrespective of their physical or mental limitations.
“We know healthcare professionals are under massive pressure. We have a nationwide team of assessment managers who will effectively case manage the whole process, from review of the patient, their home environment, setting up the equipment to their precise needs, and training the operator. When that patient/client, no longer needs the stairclimber, it can be taken back into stores, where we will service it, and it can be re-issued to someone else.”
Peter Wingrave, AAT Director
Full details are available here: https://www.aatgb.com/safe-fast-adaptations-for-less-than-1000-we-explain-how/. Alternatively, email sales@aatgb.com or call01978 821875 to set up a free, no obligation assessment.
#stairs #hospitaldischarge #fallprevention #bedblocking
Torbay Hospital League of Friends has bought two of our C-Max stairclimbers for Torbay & South Devon NHS Trust’s Patient Transport Services.
These will result in an easier, less stressful and more comfortable journey for people who need help getting to and from hospital and healthcare sites for appointments and treatment.
“The new stairclimbers will not only help our team to support people with limited mobility, but more importantly will allow us to be to offer a higher level of service for people across Torbay and South Devon which means the world to me.
“This type of equipment helps our organisation continue to provide quality care to the people of Torbay and South Devon.”
Louis Nicholls, Patient Transport Officer at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
“We can all imagine how difficult it would be to transport a sick or injured person to and from hospital when flights of stairs are involved. We were delighted to be able to help Patient Transport Services to acquire two fantastic bariatric stairclimbers which we know will make the patients journey less stressful and, at the same time, make the job of everyone in patient transport a little bit easier.”
Roy Tuttle, Chairman of the Torbay Hospital League of Friends
The C-Max stairclimbers can each support a person weighing up to 230kg/ 36st, increasing the Services’ current weight lifting capability by more than 30%. The Trust has seen a growing increase in its obesity-related inpatient admissions, with almost 70% of the local population overweight or obese.
Our C-Max is widely used already among UK ambulance crews, being a compact solution that enables even the slightest crew member to safely and smoothly transport patients- single-handedly if protocols allow, and with minimal transfers.
The battery operated unit is kinetically powered to propel the patient smoothly up and down steps and stairs, including narrow and/or turned flights, and into the ambulance.
The in-vehicle CEN-approved rear impact securing system enables the patient to remain in the stairclimber during the journey, minimising transfers.
Thus loading and strain on staff is significantly reduced, cutting work-related injuries and sickness and consequent costs. The equipment also means patients are transported more safely, and with dignity.
We are Britain’s leading provider of stairclimbers, with units already widely used across the country in diverse health and social care environments.
Our range includes climbers for commercial and domestic use, that incorporate integral seats or that can be attached to a wheelchair. We provide complete support for healthcare professionals, including demonstrations, training, seminars, and regular service & maintenance of the kit.
Full details are available on the website: https://www.aatgb.com/mobility-stairclimbers/.
Helping people after they have fallen is being given a new, safer solution- for everyone involved in the post fall pathway.
We've launched Indeelift, a mobile platform “people picker upper” https://www.aatgb.com/indeelift/ aka fall recovery system.
The rechargeable battery-powered lift eliminates all the problems trying to get a conventional hoist with sling or inflatable cushions system into place.
Based around a steel platform, the Indeelift is simply slid into position for it to lift, gently and smoothly, the fallen person from floor to standing.
The lift’s design coupled with integrated rise assist handles and safety belts optimise stability during the process. A range of versions enable even morbidly obese (up to 250kg/39st) to be lifted to their feet safely and with dignity.
"Each care home experiences an average of at least three falls/month(1). The Care Inspectorate advises as good practice the use of lifting equipment to optimise the safety of residents when they have fallen, in appropriate circumstances(2), as part of the post fall pathway procedure.
"On average, 1/4m people are hospitalised as a result of a fall at home every year (Age UK).
"“Indeelift brings a new, dignified approach to that safe transfer. It is probably the least invasive recovery solution, and offers the least possible risk, for the fallen person- and care staff.”
Peter Wingrave, AAT Director
Find out more, and book your free, no obligations assessment here: https://www.aatgb.com/indeelift/.
