OPERA - Department of Nursing

Using your OperaFig. 22When lifting from the bed, some attendants preferto connect the leg pieces first. This particularlyapplies to patients with large thighs. In this case,raise the hip and knee into maximum flexion, andattach the leg strap attachment clips, then tilt thespreader bar towards the shoulders for connection.Warning: IMPORTANT: Alwayscheck that the sling attachment clips arefully in position before and during thecommencement of the lifting cycle, and intension as the patient’s weight isgradually taken up.P1395bWarning: When lowering the lifterensure that the patient’s or attendant’slegs and feet are well clear of the movingmast.Only when the patient’s body weight isfully supported by the bed may the slingleg connection clips be detached,followed by the shoulder connections.Move the Opera away before removing the slingfrom under the patient. If transferring the patient toa chair refer to the section “To Lift from a Chair”.To Raise from the FloorPut the sling around the patient as before, by usingthe rolling or sitting up method. Depending oncircumstances, space and/or position of patient etc.approach the patient with the open part of thechassis. Open the chassis legs if necessary, and liftthe patient’s legs over the chassis as shown infigure 24.P1394aLift the patient using the handset control, and adjustto a comfortable position for transfer. (See fig. 23).The specially designed sling together with its’integral head support, enables one person to carryout the complete lifting function without additionalhelp.P1395dFig. 23If returning the patient to a bed, move into thedesired position above the bed adjusting the slingposition as necessary, and then lower using thehandset control.Fig. 24The patient’s head and shoulders could be raised onpillows for comfort, if required, but this is notessential when connecting up the sling to thespreader bar.With the open part of the spreader bar pointingdown towards the shoulders, attach the shoulderstrap attachment clips, as shown in figure 25 andinset.17