Brewer LiftMate
Product
How much weight can Brewer LiftMate lift?
The Brewer LiftMate lifts up to 500 pounds, which is the most common exam table weight capacity. The Brewer LiftMate is designed to be a portable and economical solution for healthcare practitiioners who do not want to purchase new power tables, but still want a safe way to lift patients with mobility issues. Patients over 500 pounds would be better served with a Brewer Access High-Low Exam Table.
What does the warranty cover?
The Brewer LiftMate comes with a standard three-year warranty, covering all parts and labor.
Can the Brewer LiftMate fit through doorways?
The Brewer LiftMate fits through standard door openings and down hallways.
Will larger patients easily fit onto the Brewer LiftMate?
Brewer LiftMate's robust design is intended to make patients as safe and as comfortable as possible when they interact with the device. The product is extremely durable with a large, slip-resistant platform.
How do I stop Brewer LiftMate's lift/lower movement?
The Brewer LiftMate is designed to operate only when the "Lift" or "Lower" buttons are activated. To pause Brewer LiftMate, simply release the "Lift" or "Lower" button. There are also emergency stop buttons on each side of the device.
Does the Brewer LiftMate run on electrical power or battery?
Both. The Brewer LiftMate operates on a rechargeable Lead Acid Sealed Battery. A low battery indicator light will let users know when a recharge is required. To charge the Brewer LiftMate, plug it into any standard electrical outlet.
How was lift/lower speed determined?
Patient feedback informed the lift/lower speed of the Brewer LiftMate. The result is a safe and secure ride.
Why doesn't the platform touch the floor in its lowest position?
As with all Brewer products, safety is our top focus in product design. To comply with UL requirements, Brewer LiftMate maintains a small safety clearance at the bottom of its range of motion. The platform features an angled lip to make stepping onto Brewer LiftMate even easier for patients.
Is the Brewer LiftMate the first product in a series of products?
The Brewer LiftMate is the first in a family of Low/High Patient Lifts designed to help you safely and affordably assist patients on and off exam tables.
Can I attach Brewer LiftMate to my table?
No. Mobility is a goal with the Brewer LiftMate. The product is designed to move from room to room, rather than being kept in one location. This will help improve your workflow and help you comply with Safe Patient Handling guidelines.
Why do you have to hold a button down to move the product?
To maintain the highest level of safety, the Brewer LiftMate is always in the locked position. This prevents unintentional movement of the product while lifting or lowering patients. To that end, simply push and hold the "Move" button to maneuver Brewer LiftMate.
Process
Should I buy a Brewer LiftMate or a Brewer Access High-Low Exam Table?
Both, probably. The best solution is to have Brewer Access High-Low Exam Tables in every exam room, but this is not always possible. The Brewer LiftMate allows you to supplement rooms without power tables to improve Safe Patient Handling.
How many Brewer LiftMates should I purchase?
We recommend a minimum of one Brewer LiftMate for every two to four patient rooms without power tables. This number may vary depending upon your specialty and patient flow.
Where do I store the Brewer LiftMate?
The Brewer LiftMate could be stored in the same location you store your EKG machines or other mobile devices, or in the examination room – out of walkways or areas of congestion.
How do I clean the Brewer LiftMate?
The Brewer LiftMate is made of powder-coated steel, so we recommend using a cleaning and disinfecting wipe that does not contain chlorides. Bleach should not be used on the device.
How do patients use Brewer LiftMate?
With Brewer LiftMate positioned against an exam table or elevated procedural device, assist or simply direct the patient onto the platform. The patient should then use the grab bars to turn around; we recommend having patient face away from the table while the Brewer LiftMate is moving. Once at table-level, they can safely take a seat while holding onto the Brewer LiftMate rails for security. Each patient may have a method that works best for them. Full suggested protocol is demonstrated in the "How Brewer LiftMate Works" video.
Should the Brewer LiftMate be moved out of the way while the patient is on the table?
This depends on the procedure being performed and the physician's personal preference. For instance, if the patient is on the table for a quick check-up, the Brewer LiftMate may not need to be moved. But if the patient is on the table for a GYN exam, the Brewer LiftMate may interfere with the use of the stirrups.
Do I push or pull the Brewer LiftMate?
That is up to the user. When pushing and holding the "Move" button, Brewer LiftMate can be pushed or pulled. Its casters will adapt to any movement.
Can the Brewer LiftMate be used by patients who are in a wheelchair?
Not at this time. The Brewer Access High-Low Exam Table should be used for wheelchair-bound patients.
Will the Brewer LiftMate work with all exam tables?
Yes, Brewer LiftMate is designed to work with all brands of exam tables on the market.
Low and behold: There's High demand for Brewer LiftMate. Safe Patient Handling needs, guidelines and research are the inspiration for Brewer LiftMate – an affordable way to offer assistance to patients without sacrificing your budget. Let Brewer LiftMate be your trusted resource when it comes to trends, legislation and expert articles that matter to you. Check back often for the latest from the world of Safe Patient Handling.
BREWER LIFTMATE STATISTICS
Each manual lift carries a 75% risk of injury
SOURCE: William Charney, Back Injury Among Healthcare Workers
NIOSH recommends a 35-pound lift limit
SOURCE: Waters T. (2007) When is it safe to manually lift a patient? American Journal of Nursing. Vol. 107(8): 53-59.
Average back injury results in five lost working days
SOURCE: Siddharthan, Kris; Nelson, Audrey; Tiesman, Hope; Chen, FangFei. "Cost Effectiveness of a Multifaceted Program for Safe Patient Handling."
More than one-third of nurse back injuries due to patient handling
SOURCE: McAbee RR, Wilinson WE. Back Injuries and Registered Nurses. AAOHN J 1998;36: 106-12.
More than one in three Americans are considered obese
SOURCE: Center for Disease Control, 2011
The number of obese Americans is expected to increase to 50% by 2030
SOURCE: Henry, Tanya Albers. "U.S. obesity rate projected to reach 50% by 2030," amednews.com (American Medical News). September 12, 2011
The 70-million-member Baby Boomer generation is now turning 65
SOURCE: National Association of Baby Boomers
More than half the people over 65 have some form of disability
SOURCE: Health Research for Action, "From Hospital to Home: A Strategic Assessment of Eldercare in the San Francisco Bay Area."
Roughly two-thirds of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese
SOURCE: Gallup Healthways Well-being Index 2009. (63.1%)
Life expectancy continues to trend upward
SOURCE: Anderson RN. United States life tables, 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports. 2001; 48:1-40.