White Paper Details Infection Control Challenges Hospitals Must Address During Construction Projects

Needham, Massachusetts – November 18, 2008 - Hospitals and healthcare institutions are challenged to devise policies and procedures that allow construction projects to take place while maintaining Environment of Care (EC) standards. A free white paper that addresses these challenges is available for download at: www.eheinc.com/infectioncontrol.htm.

The white paper, titled “Infection Control in the Healthcare Environment During Construction,” details the process required to establish hospital compliance with The Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) while maintaining a high level of patient care services and critical institution functions.

The white paper will discuss the steps involved in ensuring infection control during hospital construction projects, including how to:

• Create a construction oversight panel
• Select which departments and personnel should be on the panel
• Incorporate Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) elements into construction documents
• Establish clear-cut project phases.

Authored by Dennis Tremblay, CFPS, a Senior Scientist at EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/), a Needham, Mass.-based environmental, health, safety, and engineering consulting firm, the white paper is based on the experiences of EH&E personnel while working with leading hospitals and healthcare institutions nationwide.

This white paper reviews the applicable Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) standards and American Institute of Architects (AIA) guidelines, and describes a field-tested, successful solution for maintaining Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) documentation. The paper will be interesting and informative to all those responsible for maintaining environmental health and safety compliance in hospitals and healthcare facilities.

To download the free white paper, “Infection Control in the Healthcare Environment During Construction,” visit http://www.eheinc.com/infectioncontrol.htm.

EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for 20 years. The EH&E team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients. EH&E’s new series of eH&E web compliance solutions (http://www.eheinc.com/ehe_web_solutions.htm) is just the latest example of our continuing effort to provide this knowledge and information to a wider range of companies.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc., http://www.tizinc.com/services/public-relations/index.html

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Gundersen Lutheran Health System is Recognized for Safe Lifting Leadership

Franklin, Mass. – August 20, 2008 –The pro bono healthcare injury prevention website, Safe Lifting Portal (http://www.safeliftingportal.com/),announced that its newly instituted Safe Lifting Leadership Award has been presented to Gundersen Lutheran Health System of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The award was given in recognition of Gundersen Lutheran’s outstanding accomplishments in safe patient handling, safe lifting, and caregiver injury prevention.

Gundersen Lutheran Health System includes a 325-bed teaching hospital and a Level II Trauma Center. As one of the leading medical facilities in the mid-west, the health system has received eleven top 100 designations. It serves patients throughout western Wisconsin, northeastern Iowa, and southeastern Minnesota, providing care in 19 counties.

In 2003, Gundersen Lutheran Health System initiated a patient and staff injury prevention program. Key components of the program included installation of ceiling lifts to transfer patients, an extensive staff orientation and training program, and on-going monitoring of usage compliance. The ceiling lifts were installed in units hospital-wide, including intensive care, coronary care, rehabilitation and PT, pediatrics, morgue, diagnostic areas, and the OB/GYN water birth room.

Among the more significant results of the program have been substantial decreases in injury rates, reduced workers’ compensation costs, and less employee lost time and restricted time. The program has also increased staff retention rates and proved to be an excellent staff recruitment tool.

Emphasizing Gundersen Lutheran’s firm commitment to patient and employee safety, Gary Brunslik, Manager of Safety, commented, “Preventing staff injury is good business from the financial standpoint, but also, it is the right thing to do." Kathy Weitekamp, RN, BSN, Care Manager, went on to say, “We’ve been able to show a 57% decrease in the number of patient handling claims, which we feel is pretty significant. Lost time has gone down 78% and restricted time has gone down 81%, so we’re very pleased. Our ceiling lift return on investment has been less than three years." Dr. William Scorby, Medical Director for Employee Health, added, "We also see the safe lifting program as playing an important role in staff retention and recruiting - keeping our experienced nurses safe and injury free while attracting new nurses trained in safe lifting techniques to Gundersen Lutheran."

The objective of the Safe Lifting Leadership Award is to encourage other institutions to follow the lead of “best practices” institutions in their attempts to instill permanent, sustainable culture change – a so-called “culture of safety” – within their organizations. Patient safety, advocacy for healthcare excellence, successful implementation of safe lifting initiatives, and willingness to share results and assist other institutions are among key evaluation criteria for the award.

For more information on the Safe Lifting Leadership Award or Liko’s sponsorship of the Safe Lifting Portal, contact Liko, 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038; telephone (888) 545-6671 or (508) 553-3993; fax (508) 528-6642; visit http://www.liko.com/, or http://www.safeliftingportal.com/

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Liko raises the bar for intelligence in patient lifts

Franklin, MA – August 12, 2008 -- Liko North America, a major supplier of patient lifts, repositioning aids and clinical educational services for the healthcare industry, has added intelligent self diagnostics to its Viking family of multi-purpose mobile floor lifts. The new Viking M (www.liko.com/na/viking_m.asp) incorporates numerous intelligence features designed to help customers better manage their Safe Lifting initiatives. Among these features is a smart diagnostics system that enables customers to manage service and more easily evaluate their lifting practices. In turn, this encourages more efficient use of each individual lift.

Intelligence – The Operations Console of the new Viking M houses the Liko Diagnostic System™, a pioneering new advancement in intelligence for patient lifts. The system helps customers manage their safe lifting initiatives and determine unit needs by tracking lift usage frequency. It also identifies workload for patients of size. In addition to managing on the nursing unit, the new Viking M comes equipped to provide additional key servicing information, including a Service LED that can be calendar- or usage-based. By identifying service issues before they happen, users can generate, for example, reports such as those required by Joint Commission standards. According to Gunnar Liljedahl, president and chief design engineer at Liko, “The intelligent control unit, which includes our own Liko Diagnostic System, allows the customer to see just how the lift has been used. In turn, this knowledge can be used to establish procedures that maximize the use of the lift, thereby providing the best total economy.”

Functionality – With the Viking M’s new ergonomically designed wireless Hand Control, the task of helping patients becomes easier and more convenient. For example, the wireless hand control means there are no more cumbersome cords to detangle, thus the caregiver can now work unhindered and in closer proximity to the patient. All new Viking Ms within a facility will be able to use the same hand control, and in the unlikely event a wireless hand control is not immediately available, the lift can be run directly from the operations panel on the control box. A powerful new NiMH battery pack lowers the lift’s overall weight even more and has a SmartCharge indicator that provides a continuous view of charging status. Finally, wireless control encourages caregivers to use the lift more frequently and gives patients a greater sense of security.

Safety – A handy on-board two-language Quick Reference Guide helps lower the chances of operator errors; an Outer Tube on the actuator helps ensure trouble-free operation; and a new wheel design avoids collecting dirt or other foreign matter in order to ensure caregivers low push, pull and rotational stressors.

Lightweight and Environmentally Friendly -- All of the components of the Viking lift frame are constructed of strong, aircraft-grade aluminum, up to 40% of which is from recycled aluminum products. This means the Vikings are much lighter than steel frame lifts of corresponding size and patient lifting capacities, plus they are safer for the environment.

For more information on the new Viking M, write to Liko at 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038, e-mail info@liko.com, call 1-888-545-6671, or visit www.liko.com/na/viking_m.asp.

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Technorati tags: Liko, Safe Lifting, patient safety, hospital, healthcare, nurse, caregiver, injury prevention, risk manager, safety officer, safety official risk management

Free White Paper: Hospital Tests Patient Lift Technologies; Improves Quality of Care

Franklin, Mass. – August 6, 2008 – A new, free white paper details how a Michigan hospital improved patient care - and reduced manual lifting injuries – by testing new products and designs utilizing a mock-up patient room in an effort to implement forward-looking patient handling technologies.

The white paper, titled “Michigan Hospital Leads the Way with Patient-Focused Environments and Leading-Edge Patient Lifting Technologies,” is available for free download at: www.safeliftingportal.com/hospital-patient-lifting.

The white paper details how the advanced planning, product research and equipment testing at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) in Ann Arbor, Michigan have resulted in a facility-wide success story and increased patient quality of care by decreasing lifting injuries through out the hospital.

“What really aided in the success of this project is the complete mock-up patient room that was built on-site to run tests and functional simulations,” said Tom Tocco, director of facilities and plant operations at SJMH. “That enabled us to select the best systems and products for our patients. Now, we have taken the tried-and-true mock-up room and re-created it 356 times in the new tower.”

The new state-of-the-art tower includes facility-wide wireless internet access and inter-hospital overhead rail systems which has greatly decreased patient lifting injuries and significantly reduced worker’s compensation claims. – Do we have proof?

Download the white paper at: www.safeliftingportal.com/hospital-patient-lifting or call toll-free 1 888-545-6671 to request a copy. The paper is authored by Liko North America (www.liko.com/na), sponsor of the Safe Lifting Portal injury prevention site (www.safeliftingportal.com).

About Liko North America
Liko North America is one of the world’s leading suppliers of patient lifts, including mobile, overhead rail, sit-to-stand, and bariatric lifts, as well as a selection of more than 250 slings and accessories. The company is also the exclusive sponsor of the pro bono “Safe Lifting Environment” campaign designed to help prevent caregiver injuries (visit www.safeliftingportal.com for more details). For more information on Liko’s complete line of patient lifts, contact Liko North America, 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038. Telephone (888) 545-6671 or (508) 553-3993; fax (508) 528-6642, or visit the Liko website at www.liko.com.

About Saint Joseph Mercy Health System
Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, a member of Trinity Health, is a health care organization serving Washtenaw, Livingston, Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe, western Wayne and southwestern Oakland counties. It includes 537-bed St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Saint St. Joseph Mercy Saline Hospital with 74 beds, Saint St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital in Howell, featuring with136 beds and St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia with 304 beds. Combined, the four hospitals are licensed for 1,051 beds, employ more than 8,400 individuals and have a medical staff of nearly 1,500 physicians.

For more information on health services offered at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, please visit www.sjmercyhealth.org.

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Safe Lifting “Toolkit” Provides Free Resources for Healthcare Injury Prevention

Franklin, Mass. – July 25, 2008 – Liko North America has announced the launch of a new “Toolkit” section of its popular Safe Lifting Portal Web site.

The new portal section is designed to assist hospitals and nursing homes with the start-up, development, and on-going support of their safe lifting initiatives.

The Liko-sponsored Safe Lifting Portal is a pro bono injury prevention site designed to help nurses avoid musculoskeletal injuries caused by lifting and repositioning patients.

According to Melissa Nowitz, administrator of the Safe Lifting Portal, “Over the course of the three or more years of our portal’s existence, many customers have contacted us and asked for individual items to promote safe lifting in their facilities – ranging from posters to pamphlets – and this new section allows us to make them available in one convenient location. Also, we are always looking for additional suggestions on how to improve the efficacy of safe lifting programs, and now we have a more direct means of sharing those ideas among healthcare workers and safe lifting committee members.”

The Safe Lifting Portal cover topics such as how to start and deploy a program, how to achieve caregiver buy-in, tracking legislative activities, and calculating projected savings using an interactive return-on-investment calculator. It also includes a monthly electronic newsletter and a question-and-answer column called “Ask the Lift Doctor.”

To access the Toolkit section of Safe Lifting Portal, visit http://www.safeliftingportal.com/toolkit or call 888-545-6671.

About Liko
Liko is one of the world’s leading suppliers of patient lift and transfer solutions. The company’s products include mobile lifts, overhead ceiling mounted systems, and a variety of injury prevention solutions. For more information on Liko’s sponsorship of the Safe Lifting Portal, contact Liko North America, 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038; telephone (888) 545-6671 or (508) 553-3993; fax (508) 528-6642; or visit the Liko website at www.liko.com/na.

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Liko Introduces Two Additions to its “Stat” Family of Low Friction Sheets

Franklin, Mass. – July 1, 2008 – Liko, a major supplier of patient lifts, slings and repositioning sheets for the healthcare industry, has announced two new additions to its “Stat” family of low-friction transfer and repositioning sheets.

Both new products, the Stat HandySheet™ and the Stat HandyTube™, help facilitate the placement of slings under patients or the movement of patients in bed.

Manufactured of extremely low friction fabrics, the new products are designed to reduce skin abrasions to the patient while also minimizing the caregiver’s workload during a variety of commonly encountered patient transfer and repositioning maneuvers.

Liko’s new Stat HandySheets are designed to be used in pairs and are recommended to facilitate placement of a sling while a patient is sitting in a wheelchair or lying on a bed. The Stat HandySheet is offered in two sizes – long and short – to accommodate a wide range of applications. In use, a pair of HandySheets are first placed beneath the patient, then the sling is easily slipped between the two sheets with minimum caregiver effort. The sheets can also be used to reposition patients higher up in bed. For more info: http://www.liko.com/web/show_page.asp?pageid=8254.

Liko’s new Stat HandyTube is designed to assist caregivers in repositioning, turning patients, or performing lateral transfer maneuvers. The Stat HandyTube is offered in three sizes: short, long, and wide. The wide model features sewn-on handles to provide extra grip when, for example, a single caregiver wants to turn or reposition a patient in bed. For more info: http://www.liko.com/web/show_page.asp?pageid=8253.

Certain models of the new sheets feature sewn-on pockets or loops in order to assist with specific caregiver tasks. For example, the HandySheet has corner pockets to ensure both sheets can be pushed completely under the patient at the same time. None of the new sheets are designed to be left under the patient for any extended period of time.

About Liko
Liko is one of the world’s leading suppliers of patient lift and transfer solutions. The company’s products range from mobile lifts to sit-to-stand models, overhead ceiling mounted systems, and bariatric models. For more information on either the Stat HandySheets or HandyTubes, contact Liko, 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038; telephone (888) 545-6671 or (508) 553-3993; fax (508) 528-6642; or visit the Liko website at http://www.liko.com/.

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Technorati tags: Liko, Safe Lifting, patient safety, hospital, healthcare, nurse, caregiver, injury prevention, risk manager, safety officer, safety official risk management

EH&E Launches Interactive Discussion Forum for Healthcare Environment of Care Professionals

Needham, Mass. – June 20, 2008 – EH&E, an environmental and engineering consulting firm for the healthcare industry, has launched “EHEConnect” – an interactive discussion forum dedicated to Environment of Care (EC) professionals – at www.eheconnect.com.

“The forum will act as a central resource for the exchange of ideas and issues central to the mounting, and increasingly complex, responsibilities of those accountable for a healthcare organization’s Environment of Care,” said Kevin Coghlan, M.S., C.I.H, Director of EH&S Compliance & Strategic Support at EH&E. “Our goal is to create a virtual community where EC professionals and others involved in EC issues can login and network with their peers around the country.”

“EHEConnect offers an informal way for EC professionals to exchange ideas, experiences and their solutions to challenges in the EC as well as keep up with The Joint Commission accreditation requirements,” said Coghlan.

EH&E’s team of EC consultants monitor and participate in forum discussions, adding their own professional insights and expertise to the dialogue.

Current topics being discussed include: life safety code documentation; new hospital EtO sterilizer regulations take effect December 2008; OSHA recommendations regarding protection of hospital security personnel in emergences; personal protective equipment for pandemic influenza; extreme temperature policies, interpretation of governing standards for showers and eyewashes.

To learn more and to join EHEConnect, go to: http://www.eheinc.com/forum.htm

EH&E offers a host of customizable services to assist hospitals with a variety of needs including: working to help create a healthy and safe work environment, reducing occupational illness and injury, minimizing workers’ compensation claims, increasing worker morale and productivity, reducing liability, costly litigation and unfavorable publicity, and helping to avoid OSHA fines and other expensive penalties.

About EH&E
EH&E (www.eheinc.com) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for 20 years. Our team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients.

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Educational Articles Assist Healthcare in Starting, Sustaining a Safe Lifting Program

Franklin, Mass. – June 17, 2008 – Nurses and healthcare risk or safety professionals seeking detailed how-to information on starting and managing a safe lifting program at their hospital or healthcare facility are invited to download a new, free five-part series of educational articles from the Safe Lifting Portal injury prevention website.

The articles, which include such Safe Lifting Program details as assessing patients, selecting lifts for patients with special needs, infection control, and how to calculate the return-on-investment of a formal program, are available free at: http://www.safeliftingportal.com/slp-for-nurses.

Designed for nurses and safe patient handling committee members, the articles were produced by Liko North America, sponsor of the Safe Lifting Portal, to inform hospital employees about the importance of safe lifting in all aspects of patient care. The series details:

• Selecting Lifts for Patients with Special Needs – Special needs patients, such as elderly, morbidly obese, or orthopedic patients, require the correct lift or sling to safely move them throughout the hospital. This article explains the proper lift to use depending on the need of the patient.
• Safe Lifting: The Assessment Imperative – This article reviews the general guidelines for safe patient handling and the importance of a routine assessment of ergonomic hazards and the patient’s functional ability, level of assistance, and mental status.
• Infection Control for Lifts and Slings – In order to ensure patient safety during the lifting process it is important that lifts and slings are clean, decontaminated and disinfected. This article details the importance of infection control when using lifts and slings.
• Safe Patient Handling Programs: How to calculate Return on Investment – Implementing safe handling programs in hospitals not only reduces patient–handling injuries but significantly cuts the direct and indirect costs that coincide with lifting injuries. This article explains how facility managers can calculate their ROI which results in reducing expenses significantly.

The articles also review the general guidelines for implementing safe patient handling programs, including the importance of choosing the right lift for every patient and turning the need for assessment into an everyday habit.

The articles are available for immediate download at: www.safeliftingportal.com/slp-for-nurses. Copies can be requested by calling toll-free 1-888-545-6671.

About Liko North America
Liko North America is one of the world’s leading suppliers of patient lifts, including mobile, overhead rail, sit-to-stand, and bariatric lifts, as well as a selection of more than 250 slings and accessories. The company is also the exclusive sponsor of the pro bono “Safe Lifting Environment” campaign designed to help prevent caregiver injuries (visit www.safeliftingportal.com for more details). For more information on Liko’s complete line of patient lifts, contact Liko North America, 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038. Telephone (888) 545-6671 or (508) 553-3993; fax (508) 528-6642, or visit the Liko website at www.liko.com.

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White Paper Helps Hospitals Prepare Staff for Joint Commission Environment of Care Interview Sessions

NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS – June 10, 2008 – Preparing for The Joint Commission survey process within the Environment of Care (EC) is challenging because virtually all internal services used to support patient care, including all areas of the EC, may be audited. As a result, a healthcare institution must be prepared for the survey interview session to proceed in almost any direction and to involve any staff member. EH&E has found that practice interview sessions, if done properly, can dramatically improve the performance of hospital staff in actual Joint Commission surveys.

The white paper titled, “Using Practice Interview Sessions to Strengthen Your Survey Preparedness Within the Environment of Care,” provides an overview of the practice interview technique and discusses “best practices” for conducting practice interview sessions, including how to:

• Select survey topics that are most relevant to your institution.
• Determine the right composition of staff members.
• Create the proper ground rules.
• Design questions that get to the important issues quickly.

Authored by Nanette E. Moss, M.S., C.I.H., Associate Director of EH&S Compliance and Strategic Support at EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/), a Needham, Mass.-based environmental, health, safety, and engineering consulting firm, the white paper is based on the experiences of EH&E personnel working with leading healthcare institutions nationwide.

This white paper will be applicable to EH&S managers, facilities managers, Infection Control managers, pharmacy directors, and anyone responsible for maintaining Environment of Care compliance at a hospital or other type of Joint Commission accredited healthcare institution.

To download the free white paper, “Using Practice Interview Sessions to Strengthen Your Survey Preparedness Within the Environment of Care,” visit: http://www.eheinc.com/practicetracer.htm or call 1-800-825-5343.

About EH&E
EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for 20 years. Our team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc., http://www.tizinc.com/

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Technorati tags: infection, infection control, hospital, healthcare, white paper, whitepaper, JACHO, Joint Commission, Environment of Care, Environment of Care Interview Sessions

Free Safe Lifting Booklet Available to Help Healthcare Professionals Start-Up, Manage a Patient Safe Lifting Program

Franklin, Mass. – June 9. 2008 – A new, free educational booklet, compiling dozens of the most-asked questions by healthcare professionals about starting-up and managing a safe lifting program, is available for free download at: www.safeliftingportal.com/lift-doctor-booklet.

Titled, “Ask the Lift Doctor – Real-World Questions and Answers about Safe Lifting,” the booklet compiles two years worth of questions and answers sent in by healthcare professionals – nurses, nurse practitioners, administrators and others – to the Safe Lifting Portal injury prevention website’s (www.safeliftingportal.com) popular “Lift Doctor.”

The “Lift Doctor” is a panel of Liko Specialists which includes a sling application expert, bariatric specialist, lift system design consultant, risk management professional, safety director, and an overhead installation designer.

Designed to help those starting up and managing Safe Lifting Programs to prevent patient and healthcare provider injuries in healthcare facilities and hospitals, the 22-chapter booklet covers a wealth of topics related to patient-specific injuries, training, policies, procedures, and general patient lift usage.

The booklet is just one of the many available informational tools of the Safe Lifting Portal, the Liko North America-sponsored online resource to educate and guide healthcare professionals and administrators on a host of safe patient lifting and handling topics. The Safe Lifting Portal provides how-to information on creating a safe patient handling program, achieving caregiver buy-in, tracking legislative activities, and calculating the projected savings that can result from the implementation of a Safe Lifting Program.

Request a free copy of the “Ask the Lift Doctor – Real-world Questions and Answers about Safe Lifting” booklet, at http://www.safeliftingportal.com/lift-doctor-booklet or call 1-888-545-6671.

About Liko
Liko is one of the world’s leading suppliers of patient lift and transfer solutions. The company’s products include mobile lifts, overhead ceiling mounted systems, and a variety of injury prevention solutions. For more information on Liko’s sponsorship of the Safe Lifting Portal, contact Liko North America, 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038; telephone (888) 545-6671 or (508) 553-3993; fax (508) 528-6642; or visit the Liko website at www.liko.com/na.

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New Liko Multiple Purpose Lifting Straps Facilitate Patient Care Tasks

Franklin, Mass., May 27, 2008 -- Liko, a leading supplier of patient lifting equipment, has introduced the Multi-Strap™ product line, a series of innovative multi-purpose handling straps designed to assist caregivers with a variety of patient care tasks.

The new the Multi-Strap product line consists of a highly functional set of aids designed to significantly reduce often-overlooked repetitive daily physical tasks incurred by healthcare caregivers including lifting limbs, turning patients, and holding patients in side-lying – while simultaneously providing better patient care.

In use, the Multi-Strap can help improve the ability of, and productivity among, caregivers to perform their tasks, as well as improve the overall quality of care for patients. Caregivers using the new Multi-Strap are able to improve patient care during wound dressing changes, skin care treatments, and other medical procedures. Such procedures can be both difficult – due to poor accessibility or problems with holding the patient or limb – as well as time consuming. When used in conjunction with existing Liko overhead or mobile lifts, the Multi-Strap may also reduce the number of caregivers required to perform certain tasks.

Multi-Strap products are offered in a variety of sizes from narrow to ultra, in both polyester and disposable materials. All feature a pocket to assist the caregiver with application solutions. An additional fix clip is included with a buckle for easy attachment of a strap to the bed for turning.

Typical applications include:

• Limb Lifting and Holding – There are multiple applications for Multi-Strap use across various departments. In burn units, the Multi-Strap Narrow can suspend a limb with limited skin contact. For the initial insertion or -reinsertion of a catheter for a patient of size, one Multi-Strap Ultra can help support each leg and eliminate the need for additional caregivers.


• Turning/Holding – Caregivers can also use the Multi-Strap for various tasks such as turning and/or holding in side-lying position. The Multi-Strap family can easily enable a single caregiver to handle such tasks such as turning a patient, inserting wedge pillows, providing backside wound management, or changing linens and repositioning sheets. Other uses include assisting caregivers with aerating the bed, or the simple application or removal of a seated sling or supine stretcher frame. Use of the Multi-Strap can also assist x-ray technicians with inserting and removing an x-ray cartridge for various bedside procedures (chest, abdominal, lateral hip, etc.)

About Liko
Liko is one of the world’s leading suppliers of patient lift and transfer solutions. The company’s patient lifts range from mobile floor lifts and overhead ceiling mounted systems to transfer solutions like HandySheet™, HandyTube™ and Multi-Strap™. For more information contact Liko, 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038; telephone (888) 545-6671 or (508) 553-3993; fax (508) 528-6642; or visit the Liko website at http://www.liko.com/

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc.

Technorati tags: Liko, Safe Lifting, patient safety, hospital, healthcare, nurse, caregiver, injury prevention, risk manager, safety officer, safety official risk management

New Disposable Repositioning Sheet for Hospitals and Nursing Homes

Franklin, MA – May, 16, 2008 – Liko, a leading supplier of patient lifting equipment, has announced the launch of new disposable repositioning sheet. Repositioning patients in bed is often cited as one of the most potentially dangerous care tasks for caregivers and may account for between 45% to 60% of bedside patient handling injuries.

The new sheet, designated the Solo RepoSheet™, is designed for those patients and residents with specific needs such as isolation patients, where specific needs exist to control infection and cross-contamination, or where a method is needed consistent with current laundry control practices. Outbreaks of MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) and C.diff (Clostridium difficile) and new CMS regulations have greatly increased the demand for products that can help control nosocomial or institution-acquired infections.

The Solo RepoSheet is usually applied above the fitted sheet and below the draw sheet, but can be used in place of the draw sheet. Because the Solo RepoSheet rests under the patient ready to be used, the sheet is not composed of ordinary disposable paper-like material, but a fabric made of 100% light weave breathable cotton. The soft fabric was especially selected for the patient’s comfort. The Solo RepoSheet is a single patient use sheet which should be disposed of when it becomes soiled or when the patient no longer needs it.

As part of a Safe Lifting Initiative in Healthcare, the Solo RepoSheet is used in combination with a facility’s existing overhead (ceiling) or mobile floor lifts. In addition to eliminating rotational and compression forces associated with moving patients up in bed, the Solo RepoSheet can eliminate cumulative trauma associated with turning patients, holding them in side-lying, and rotating a patient from supine to prone.

In order to facilitate these patient handling actions, each Solo RepoSheet has five strap loops sewn securely to each side. One strap loop is color coded to indicate the head end of the sheet. The strap joints are sewn onto the sheet without pressure points for maximum comfort and skin safety. While laundering does not impact the sheet’s safety or physical properties, the original label disintegrates upon washing and exposes a “DO NOT USE” symbol to prohibit use with other patients.

For more information on the Solo RepoSheet™, write to Liko at 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038, e-mail at info@liko.com, call them at 1-888-545-6671, or visit them at www.liko.com.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc.

Technorati tags: Liko, Safe Lifting, patient safety, hospital, healthcare, nurse, caregiver, injury prevention, risk manager, safety officer, safety official risk management

Liko Introduces New LowBase™ Model of Its Popular Golvo Mobile Lift

--New unit is designed to meet the needs of emerging low-profile beds and stretchers --

Franklin, Mass., USA - March 5, 2008 – Many of the newer model beds and stretchers emerging onto the healthcare market utilize components such as frames and drive mechanisms that are within just a few inches of the floor. This means traditional mobile patient lifts can be difficult to use because their legs normally are too high to extend under these beds and stretchers. Liko’s newly introduced Golvo LowBase™ model circumvents this problem with a lower total leg height, including wheels, of only 2 1/3 inches.

Liko’s Golvo is unique among mobile lifts due to its flexible lift strap, vertical lifting motion, and parallel widening base legs. Originally introduced in 1986, Golvo represented a breakthrough in mobile lift design because its unique telescoping mast and lifting strap enabled patients to be lifted vertically, similar to an overhead ceiling mounted lifting system.

The new Golvo 7007 LowBase™ model is an ideal solution for applications such as lifting or transferring patients to or from low profile beds or stretchers. In addition to its low bed compatibility, the Golvo 7007 LowBase™ is ideal for lifts to/from the floor, horizontal lifts, and ambulation assistance for patients weighing up to 440 lbs.

About Liko North America
Liko North America is one of the world’s leading suppliers of patient lifts, including mobile, overhead rail, sit-to-stand, and bariatric lifts, as well as a selection of more than 250 slings and accessories. The company is also the exclusive sponsor of the pro bono “Safe Lifting Environment” campaign designed to help prevent caregiver injuries (visit http://www.safeliftingportal.com/ for more details). For more information on Liko’s complete line of patient lifts, contact Liko North America, 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038. Telephone (888) 545-6671 or (508) 553-3993; fax (508) 528-6642, or visit the Liko website at http://www.liko.com/.

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High resolution images available for download at:
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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc.

Technorati tags: Liko, Safe Lifting, patient safety, hospital, healthcare, nurse, caregiver, injury prevention, risk manager, safety officer, safety official risk management

White Paper Details Infection Control Challenges Hospitals Must Address During Construction

Needham, Massachusetts – January 23, 2008 - Hospitals and healthcare institutions are challenged to devise policies and procedures that allow construction projects to take place while maintaining Environment of Care (EC) standards. A free white paper that addresses these challenges is available for download at: www.eheinc.com/infectioncontrol.htm.

The white paper, titled “Infection Control in the Healthcare Environment During Construction,” details the process required to establish hospital compliance with The Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) while maintaining a high level of patient care services and critical institution functions.

The white paper will discuss the steps involved in ensuring infection control during construction, including how to:

• Create a construction oversight panel
• Select which departments and personnel should be on the panel
• Incorporate Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) elements into construction documents
• Establish clear-cut project phases.

Authored by Dennis Tremblay, CFPS, a Senior Scientist at EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/), a Needham, Mass.-based environmental, health, safety, and engineering consulting firm, the white paper is based on the experiences of EH&E personnel while working with leading healthcare institutions nationwide.

This white paper reviews the applicable Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) standards and American Institute of Architects (AIA) guidelines, and describes a field-tested, successful solution for maintaining Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) documentation. The paper will be interesting and informative to all those responsible for maintaining environmental health and safety compliance in healthcare facilities.

To download the free white paper, “Infection Control in the Healthcare Environment During Construction,” visit http://www.eheinc.com/infectioncontrol.htm.

EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com/) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for 20 years. Our team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients. Our new series of eH&E web compliance solutions (http://www.eheinc.com/ehe_web_solutions.htm) is just the latest example of our continuing effort to provide this knowledge and information to a wider range of companies.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc., http://www.tizinc.com/

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Technorati tags: infection, infection control, hospital, healthcare, white paper, whitepaper

EPA Focus on Hazardous Pharmaceutical Waste: White Paper Helps Hospitals Avoid Fines

NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS – December 5, 2007 – A new, free white paper, titled “Managing Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste in the Hospital,” is now available for download at: www.eheinc.com/hazpharmawaste.htm.

In recent months, federal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) have begun inspecting and citing hospitals for improper disposal of pharmaceutical hazardous waste. Pharmaceuticals are sometimes overlooked as a source of hazardous waste in hospital pharmacies and patient care areas and may be improperly combined with biohazardous medical waste.

“The misclassification and improper disposal of pharmaceuticals can lead to the hospital being issued a significant citation or fine,” said Jack McCarthy, President and co-founder of EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com), a Newton, Mass.-based environmental engineering and consulting firm. “To avoid this, a comprehensive program must be in place and procedures adhered to by hospital personnel.”

The white paper outlines six essential components for developing an effective and compliant Hazardous Waste Drug Program, and provides insight into practical implementation strategies. The steps include:

1. Develop Working Group
2. Classify Formulary
3. Prepare Written Plan
4. Coordinate Implementation Logistics
5. Conduct Training
6. Monitor Process

This white paper will be applicable to those that work with and dispose of hazardous pharmaceuticals in hospitals, to environmental health & safety managers, and to compliance directors, medical staff, and pharmacy technicians.

To download the free white paper, “Managing Pharmaceutical Hazardous Waste in the Hospital,” visit: www.eheinc.com/hazpharmawaste.htm or call 1-800-825-5343.

About EH&E
EH&E (http://www.eheinc.com) has provided an extensive range of environmental and engineering consulting services for 20 years. Our team consists of more than 60 experts with an outstanding record of providing business-focused solutions for issues that affect the built environment. EH&E has a depth of knowledge and credibility unmatched in the industry and our wealth of readily-accessible information has become a powerful resource for our clients. Our new series of eH&E web compliance solutions is just the latest example of our continuing effort to provide this knowledge and information to a wider range of companies.

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