Manual Handling Equipment Training
Edith Cowan University, Joondalup
Friday, 13 August 2021
We enjoyed a fun-tastic day at Edith Cowan University (ECU), teaching Occupational Therapy (OT) undergrads about Manual Handling equipment and its clinical applications in residential aged care.
We would like to thank Melanie Day, OT Lecturer at ECU, for inviting us again this year to deliver Manual Handling equipment training for 60 students ready to start their residential aged care placements.
Placements in residential aged care forms an integral part of a student’s OT education at ECU. It allows students to practice new skills, model after their seniors, and explore the application of didactic and theoretical knowledge acquired in class. Students must complete 1,000 hours of work placements, clinical fieldwork and practice education. These are mandatory experiences to prepare students for their future work as an OT.
Facilitated by Unicare Health’s clinical educator and trainer, Annette Terranova, students were taught to understand the fundamental features & benefits of Manual Handling equipment, appreciate Australian Standards related to lifting slings and apply different lifting and transfer techniques to manage safe patient transfers.
Annette introduced the most common types of Unicare Health provided Manual Handling equipment, widely used in residential aged care. Standing hoists like the Oxford Journey and Ansa Salsa are examples, as are lifting hoists like the Ansa Sonata and Ansa Alto.
Annette demonstrated the differences between each hoist and discussed their suitability for aged residents with unique needs.
She also discussed the different types of yokes and frames as well as powered options on lifting hoists.
Students learned how to read the safety labels embroidered on slings, how to measure a client for a sling, how to interpret Australian Standards for lifting slings, and how to properly connect slings to hoists.
Students were assigned activities in groups to help them gain confidence in making safe transfers using different Manual Handling equipment.
Every student had a chance playing the role of an OT and resident to fully understand how these pieces of equipment provide a safe transfer solution for both user and caregiver.
During her training, Annette provided numerous practical and safety tips and taught students valuable skills such as how to get a sling under a client and how to avoid skin tears while hoisting an elderly client.
Students had a fun experience learning about Manual Handling equipment and appreciating how these pieces of equipment were instrumental in providing safe patient transfers.
Thank you
Unicare Health would like to wish every student a successful time in your advancement into residential aged care placements and trust that you will find these manual handling & safety skills valuable in your professional development.
As the preferred equipment provider to Occupational Therapists and major Residential Aged Care Providers across Western Australia, we are proud of our collaborative role in developing competent OTs through clinical education and practical experience.
We are thrilled to hear how valuable our training sessions have been through the years and grateful to ECU for the ongoing partnership.
“As industry leaders, we are thankful to be able to contribute towards building a capable generation of therapists to work with us in our quest to improve patient care. As technologies are continuously being improved, ongoing education is the key to prescribing optimal equipment solutions for specific needs. Offering quality education is our way of giving back as a socially responsible business.”
Related Articles
I would like to know more about Unicare Health’s training services
Posted on 30 August 2021