Patient lifts are an all-important mobility device found across hospitals, care homes, and family homes that are used to reduce the physical strain of lifting a patient on both the patient themselves as well as the nurses and caretakers who are doing the lifting.
However, not everyone can afford the latest and greatest patient lifting technologies, largely due to the costs involved. That is why many turn towards used patient lifts for sale, which can be found across many used markets and sellers that exclusively sell pre-owned items. Here, we will be discussing the types of patient lifts, and who might use them.
What Kind of Used Patient Lifts for Sale Are You Looking For?
There are several types of used patient lifts that are available in the second-hand market. These lifts are designed to assist caregivers in safely lifting and transferring patients who have mobility issues, and they come in a variety of specializations and general use-cases. Here are some of the most common types of used patient lifts:
- Manual Patient Lifts
- Electric Patient Lifts
- Hydraulic Patient Lifts
- Sit-to-Stand Patient Lifts
When browsing used patient lifts for sale, you might even come across some designed for a specific, specialized task, and at times that can be different to what is generally available in the market.
Manual Patient Lifts
Manual patient lifts are operated by a manual crank or lever system and do not require any electrical or battery power to operate. They are often used in home settings where there is limited space and a need for a more affordable option.
Using a manual patient lift requires some physical effort from the caregiver. They must also be trained in proper lifting techniques to ensure that the patient is lifted and transferred safely and without injury, so that affordability certainly comes with a cost, especially if used in care homes, clinics, and hospitals.
Still, manual patient lifts are generally more affordable than electric or hydraulic lifts, making them a good option for families on a budget. They are also relatively easy to operate and do not require any special training or certification, though training in its use is still necessary to an extent. However, they do require some physical effort to operate and may not be suitable for all, and they are more about reducing physical load than providing greater autonomy to either the caregiver or the patient.
Electric Patient Lifts
Electric patient lifts are, as the name suggests, powered by electricity and use an electric motor to raise and lower the lift arm. They are often used in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities where patient transfers are frequent and require less physical effort from caregivers.
Being battery-powered, they come in different weight capacities to suit the needs of different patients. Some lifts are designed to support patients who weigh up to 400 pounds, while others can support patients who weigh up to 1,000 pounds. They also come with different lifting mechanisms, including sling lifts, sit-to-stand lifts, and stand-up lifts, which can also be sub-categorized into different types of patient lifts.
An electric patient lift is typically easier than using a manual patient lift, as caregivers do not need to exert as much physical effort to operate the lift. If using a remote, they can be used by the patient as well, giving them better overall autonomy in their daily lives. Moreover, this can be excellent for caregivers as they often suffer physical stress and Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) due to extreme physical exertion when lifting patients manually.
However, electric patient lifts are typically more expensive, meaning if you want to browse used patient lifts for sale, you have to consider their size, weight limit, and the fact that a power source is needed.
Hydraulic Patient Lifts
Hydraulic patient lifts are seen as a hybrid that fit somewhere in between an electric patient lift and a manual one. Using a hydraulic patient lift is typically easier than using a manual patient lift, but its not without any physical activity from the caregiver either. It can be a good compromise if reducing physical exertion is necessary but power sources are either unavailable or unreliable.
The caveats come with hydraulic lifts being more affordable than electric lifts. They also require less maintenance and are less likely to break down due to their simple mechanical design. Of course, maintenance is necessary, so it is a great, middle-of-the-park option if you are looking through used patient lifts for sale.
Sit-to-Stand Patient Lifts
Sit-to-stand patient lifts are often used in home settings and healthcare facilities where patients may have difficulty standing up on their own, but can bear some weight on their legs. They are designed to be used with a special lifting device that supports the patient’s hips and legs while they stand up. The lifting device can be adjusted to fit the patient’s body size and shape, allowing to lift the patient while letting them be comfortable in that position.
Moving a patient from a sitting to standing position can be more dangerous than one might think, and this can significantly ease that transition. It can also be less physically demanding for caregivers, as the lift does most of the work. However, it is important for caregivers to be trained in proper lifting techniques and to use the lift as directed to avoid injury to themselves or the patient.
One advantage of these lifts is that they can help patients maintain their independence and mobility, allowing for greater autonomy, but they still require someone’s assistance, so they are not wholly independently usable. They are also only usable by patients who can still bear their bodyweight on their legs, but not to a full extent.
Conclusion
There are plenty of used patient lifts for sale available online or on any other pre-owned item marketplaces, but you cannot just pick any of them. From manual lifts to hydraulic ones, each has advantages and drawbacks that you have to consider before purchase, which we have outlined here.