Northern California health system to invest $11.5 million in patient lifts

Sutter Health will spend $11.5 million to install 1,036 overhead patient lifts at 19 intensive care units and acute rehabilitation centers across Northern California, according to an article on the Healthcare Construction + Operations website.

Overhead lifts are used to reposition and move patients, without strenuous lifting for caregivers, the article said.  

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, musculoskeletal disorders are a major source of injury to healthcare workers, and they’re due in large part to overexertion related to heavy manual lifting while transferring and repositioning patients and working in extremely awkward postures.

Read the article.