Modern Ceiling Hoists
Progress marches on, and today’s ceiling hoists offer far more than just a lift mounted on a track. Here we take a look at some of the innovative features, on modern day ceiling hoists, and the way that you can benefit from them.
1. Constant Charge
Probably the single most effective way to increase the reliability, lifespan and durability of the ceiling hoist, the constant charge system offers massive benefits all round.
- It saves carers time – as they don’t have to return the hoist to a specific point after each use, it is one less thing to remember, one less thing to do, which gives them more time to do the things you are paying them to do – care for patients.
- It increases reliability and safety – as the hoist is always on charge, wherever it is on the track, it always charges as needed. Ensuring it is always charged and ready for the next use avoids breakdowns.
- It prolongs the lifespan of the battery – lack of charging can cause battery failure – as the constant charge system is always charging the battery life is prolonged saving you unforeseen costs.
So in short the constant charge system will save you time, increase safety and reduce costs – ensure your next hoists is a constant charge system.
2. Increased Safe Working Load
We all know that obesity is on the increase – in fact one report estimated that by 2050, 60% of males and 50% of females could be obese – that’s over half of the population! (Read the report here https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/287937/07-1184x-tackling-obesities-future-choices-report.pdf)
The GH3 has a SWL of 200kg as standard. That’s 31.5 stone. Additionally it can be uprated to 250, 300 or 350kg. There is even a twin unit that has a SWL of 500kg, that an incredible 78 stone.
The GH3 is todays solution for tomorrows challenges.
3. Compact design
A modern hoist such as the GH3 uses great design for practical reasons. The white cover is designed to be unobtrusive – meaning that the hoist blends in against the ceiling. This is essential when fitting domestic or nursing care environments, where we can avoid equipment that shouts institutionalised or disability.
A modern hoist should also be easy to clean, sealed plastic casing, with white flat surfaces such as found on the GH3 reduce cross infection risk.
The compact design also maximises the lift height. This is very useful when lifting from high moulded wheelchairs, or in situations where ceilings are low.
4. Safety features
Modern ceiling hoists come with an array of safety features, the GH3 for instance has the following…
This is a great device that stops the strap from being raised if it is twisted. If the strap is lifted whilst twisted, it could jam resulting in the strap having to be cut to release the user. This feature removes the risk of this happening.
In older hoists, there was a danger that if the user continued to operate the hoist after the lifting strap was fully unwound, it could rewind the strap the wrong way on the hoist. This means that when the up button is pressed the hoist goes down, and when the down button is pressed the hoist goes up!
Not only is this dangerous, but could damage the lift tape of the hoist – the anti strap rewind device prevents this happening.
- Emergency stop. This is essential for all ceiling hoists under European legislation. On the GH3 it is simply activated by a red cord, and reset is simply done by pushing a small button.
- Emergency Lower – This is activated by pulling the Red Cord on the hoist, and lowers the hoist if the handset should fail.
5. Twin Speed Lifting
Carer’s time is precious, therefore the GH3 has two speeds for lifting. When lifting a patient it lifts at a reduced rate, making for a more comfortable lift with a soft start and stop. However when there is no patient on the hoist, the GH3 lifts three times as fast, enabling the carers to move the hoist out of the way, and focus on the patient.
The table below shows some estimated savings using the GH3
| No of patients |
No of lifts per day |
No of carers |
Time saved per lift (mins) |
Time saved per day(mins) |
Time saved per week |
Time saved per year |
| 1 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
56 mins |
48h32m |
| 2 |
8 |
2 |
1 |
16 |
1h52m |
97h4m |
| 5 |
20 |
2 |
1 |
40 |
4h40m |
242h40m |
| 10 |
40 |
2 |
1 |
80 |
9h20m |
485h20m |
| 15 |
60 |
2 |
1 |
120 |
14h |
728h |
| 30 |
120 |
2 |
1 |
240 |
28h |
1456h |
Still not convinced? Work out your hourly rate, add on tax and NI, and the multiply by the numbers of hours… you may be in for a shock when you realise how much your mobile hoist is actually costing you!
6. Responsive and Programmable
In today’s swift moving world there are fresh challenges, threats and ideas emerging every day. Managers have to justify their actions, audit trails are required, and compliance is a key factor in running a successful establishment.
The GH3 responds to this new way of doing business in a variety of ways – each designed to assist busy managers. A suite of responsive programs ensures that data is available, equipment is maintained correctly and there is an audit trail for the equipment.
The optional CLM module for the GH3+ provides reliable data about the number and types of lifts over a given period. This data is available as a downloadable text file for use in standard software, and as documentation for how the hoist has been used.
The data available includes the number and duration of lifts since the last reset, and the date and time of each. The module registers the number of standard lifts* over 17 kg and under 150 kg, and over 150 kg since the last reset. It also registers both actual and average numbers of lifts over the last seven days.
The module can also be used to provide information about the exact type of hoist being used and to assign a name/ID to each particular lifting module.
Analysis of this data can assist in building a business case for additional equipment, act as evidence in lawsuits, e.g. where a carer has been injured and show when the hoist is and is not being used.
The optional scales module is ideal for situations where it is important to monitor changes in users’ weight. Each user’s weight is clearly and accurately shown in the display on the hand control.
Because the scales module is part of the hoist, it frees up as much as 30 cm of lifting height compared to solutions where the scales unit is separate.
Having the scales module fully integrated into the actual hoist frees up time and resources, because users can now be weighed at the same time as being lifted and moved.
The optional GH3+ Service module provides information that focuses on the service details of the ceiling hoist system, including:
The LCD display on the hand control shows when the lifting strap, drive belt or battery is due for replacement. The module can be used to vary the desired service intervals between 3–24 months for individual reasons. However, it should be noted that UK regulations stipulate that LOLER inspections are carried out with maximum intervals of 6 months. The counter is reset when safety inspections/service are carried out or when specific items are replaced.
A visiting Multicare technician can also carry out a number of updates. Guldmann regularly releases software updates that improve the functionality of the system, and these updates can quickly be uploaded during the annual safety inspection/service.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE GH3
Contact us today
For more information on ceiling track hoists, please either call us on 024 7647 2600, email us at sales@multicaremedical.co.uk, or fill in the contact form on our website.
We look forward to hearing from you!
