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written by the NRS In-House Occupational Therapist
A sling will usually be chosen following a detailed risk assessment by a suitably qualified professional – the following is guidance only and not intended to replace that risk assessment.
The type of sling chosen will depend on many factors including:
The amount of support required The physical ability of the person – for example sitting balance, muscle tone, spasms, pressure areas
The cognitive ability of the person – ability to understand instructions, unpredictable behaviour or movements
Type of Sling
General Purpose NRS Deep Back Support Sling NRS Secure Fit Sling NRS Secure Fit Sling With Head Support Oxford Full Back Sling
Hammock NRS Deluxe Sling NRS Deluxe Sling With Head Support NRS Secure Fit Deluxe Sling Oxford Quick Fit Deluxe
Access / Toileting NRS Dress/Toileting/Access Sling NRS High Back Toileting Transfer Sling Oxford Access Sling
Support and Features
Comes with or without head support
Provides good support Easy to fit
Full support given to body & legs
No active participation needed by disabled person
Can be used with amputees Less support provided by sling
Good access for personal care tasks
Easy to put on Compatibility Guide to measuring the correct size:
Measure from the nape of the neck to the sacrum (this will be the distance from top of the sling to top of the aperture – measure from top of head to sacrum if head support is needed) The measurement from the top of the sling to the aperture should match this.
It is essential for the safety of the person being hoisted to ensure the hoist, sling and spreader bar used are compatible with each other. In general, wishbone type spreader bars will not be compatible with loop style slings. Clip style slings should not be used on two point, coat hanger style, spreader bars. All the NRS slings on pages 152-153 can be used with any coat hanger style spreader bar.
Sling Loops
The position of the sling loops on the hoist will vary according the needs of the person being hoisted. For an upright ‘seated’ position the loops are usually positioned with the shorter loops on the shoulders and the longer loop on the legs. This must be individually assessed each time a person is issued with a sling.
NRS Healthcare offers a comprehensive choice of slings 150 OrderHotline:08451218111 Fax: 0845 121 8112
Harder to put on when sitting Less access to clothing
The type of hoist being used – compatibility of the sling
The task undertaken – for example hoisted into the bath or onto a bed
The size and weight of a person
Contraindications
Can be difficult to adjust clothing in this sling after toileting
Only suitable for people with good sitting balance and upper body muscle tone