CNAs and Hoyer Lifts: Mastering the Art and Science of Safe Transfers

For Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), patient transfers are at the core of daily work. The Hoyer Lift (mechanical lift) is one of your most powerful tools—it protects you from occupational injuries while ensuring patients’ safety and dignity. Mastering this skill is not only a job requirement but also a reflection of professional competence.

Core Responsibilities of CNAs in Hoyer Lift Use

CNAs are frontline performers in patient transfer tasks, and your responsibilities go far beyond pressing a button:

1. Assessment and Planning

Before transfer, review the patient’s care plan to understand their specific transfer requirements (e.g., type of sling needed, weight capacity).

Conduct a pre-transfer check to assess the patient’s mental state, comfort level, pain intensity, and whether they need to use the restroom urgently.

2. Equipment Inspector

Before each use, perform a quick yet thorough safety check on the lift:

Battery Power: Ensure the battery has sufficient charge.

Mechanical Functions: Check if the base, lifting column, and boom are in good condition and operate smoothly.

Sling: Inspect for tears, wear, or stains.

Hooks and Safety Straps: Verify that all safety latches function properly.

3. Communication Bridge

You are the link between the patient and the transfer process. Always explain each step to the patient, even if they seem unresponsive. For example: “Mr. Smith, I’m going to place the sling behind your back now.” or “You’ll be lifted up shortly—please relax.”

4. Safety Supervision and Teamwork

Most institutional policies require that two staff members must work together when using a lift for transfers.

As a CNA, you need to coordinate with colleagues: one person takes primary responsibility for operating the controller, while the other stabilizes the patient, guides their body, and monitors the equipment.

Standard Operating Procedure: Best Practices

The following process is based on collaboration between two staff members (CNA #1 and CNA #2).

Phase 1: Preparation

Environment Preparation: Clear the transfer path and lock the wheels of the bed and wheelchair.

Patient Communication: Greet the patient and explain the upcoming transfer.

Equipment Positioning: Push the lift to the bedside, slide the base under the bed, and fully extend it to ensure stability.

Phase 2: Sling Placement

Turning Technique:

CNA #1: Gently turn the patient to one side and keep them stable.

CNA #2: Lay the folded sling flat under the patient from their back to hips, ensuring the midline aligns with the patient’s spine.

Collaborate to gently lower the patient back down, allowing them to lie on the sling. CNA #2 pulls the other half of the sling out from the opposite side of the patient, ensuring it lies completely flat with no wrinkles.

Phase 3: Attachment and Lifting

Attaching Hooks:

CNA #1: Rotate the boom directly above the patient.

Work together to hang the sling’s attachment loops on the hooks, ensuring the safety latches are fully engaged.

Adjust the length of the hooks to keep the patient balanced (usually, the shoulder straps are slightly shorter than the leg straps to form a seat-like position).

Lifting:

CNA #1: After informing the patient again, operate the controller.

CNA #2: Place one hand gently on the patient’s back or shoulder (not the hooks) and the other on their leg to guide and stabilize them during lifting, preventing rotation or swaying.

Lift the patient to an appropriate height, ensuring their body and feet are completely off the bed surface.

Phase 4: Transfer and Placement

Transfer: CNA #1 smoothly pushes or pulls the lift’s main pole (not the boom) to move the patient directly above the wheelchair.

Placement:

CNA #1: Operate the controller to lower the patient slowly.

CNA #2: Use your hands to guide the patient’s back, ensuring they sit safely and comfortably deep into the wheelchair, with their body 贴合 (fitting closely) to the backrest.

Detaching Connections:

First, detach the hooks from the shoulder straps to let the back part of the sling hang down.

Then, detach the hooks from the leg straps, and finally gently pull the sling out from under the patient.

Professional Tips and Key Insights for CNAs

Documentation: According to institutional policies, accurately record the transfer details, equipment used, and the patient’s response in the patient’s records.

Skin Check: Placing and removing the sling provides an excellent opportunity to check the patient’s skin (especially over bony prominences) for redness, damage, or pressure sores. Report any abnormalities to the nurse immediately.

“My Back Comes First”: Never attempt a lift-required transfer alone due to time constraints or staffing shortages. Your safety is just as important as the patient’s. Insisting on two-person collaboration is a sign of professionalism, not incompetence.

Be the Patient’s Advocate: If the patient complains about discomfort from the sling, or if you notice any issues with the equipment, stop the operation and resolve the problem. You are the first line of defense for patient safety.

Common Mistakes and Taboos

Taboo: Never use the lift to hoist a caregiver who is holding or supporting the patient.

Taboo: Never leave the patient suspended in mid-air unattended.

Taboo: Never push or pull the hooks or the patient’s body to move them—only push or pull the lift’s main pole.

Mistake: Using damaged or uninspected equipment. Follow the “Identify-Report-Disable” principle.

Conclusion

For CNAs, operating a Hoyer Lift skillfully and confidently is an invaluable skill. It transforms physical exertion into technical operation and turns injury risks into safety guarantees. By adhering to standard procedures, upholding teamwork, and maintaining clear communication throughout, you not only protect your career from injuries but also provide patients with the high-standard, professional, and compassionate care they deserve.