Hoist misuse ‘can be devastating’, UK regulator warns
The alert updates guidance first issued in 2014 and 2015, after investigations consistently found similar factors behind incidents, the agency said.
Serious incidents can happen when patient hoists are not used, checked or maintained properly, the medicines regulator has said in a national safety alert issued on 16 September.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, said patient hoists are widely used to transfer people with reduced mobility in hospitals, care homes and people’s own homes.
The alert aims to reinforce good practice and raise awareness of steps that can reduce risk during routine transfers.
The incidents identified were not linked to any single manufacturer or model.
Dr Alison Cave, the MHRA’s chief safety officer, said the consequences of hoists being used incorrectly or not properly maintained “can be devastating”, adding that ensuring patients were safe during transfers and repositioning was the regulator’s top priority.
“Our alert sets out clear actions to help prevent avoidable harm. We are urging healthcare providers, carers and anyone using a hoist to follow this guidance carefully and ensure equipment is safe before every use,” Cave said.
The alert sets out the following steps to help prevent avoidable harm:
- Follow extensive pre-use checks before every transfer
- Make sure the hoist and sling are compatible, and use the correct equipment for each patient
- Confirm all attachments are secure before lifting
- Keep maintenance records and ensure equipment is regularly inspected, serviced and compliant with regulations
- Ensure all staff and caregivers are up to date with training and competency assessments
The new alert updates guidance first issued in 2014 and 2015, after investigations consistently found similar factors behind incidents, including equipment failure at critical attachment points, incompatible components and inadequate checks and training.
The regulator said it was working closely with partners across the health and care system, including NHS organisations, regulators and professional bodies, to make sure the alert is widely implemented.
Anyone who experiences a problem with a patient hoist or sling should report it to the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme.
