Implementing Solutions
Wyandot's administrator bought several portable mechanical lifts for the facility. These involved portable sit-to-stand lifts, walk/ambulating lifts, and total lifts. Nurses and assistants could move each of these from room to room as they worked with individual residents. However, many of the staff remained unconvinced of the value of using equipment. In fact, initially only the workers who had actually evaluated the lifts were using them.
About three years after Wyandot began its ergonomic effort, the nursing home received a grant from the OBWC Division of Safety and Hygiene through an ergonomic emphasis program to deal with trauma disorders. With the grant, Wyandot purchased 58 fast electric beds.
The final phase of Wyandot's program began with the introduction of ceiling lifts.