Calling all and any HCPs, please

[SerendipityJane]

(no googling 😀) Do you know what a Sara Stedy is ?

I only heard of it recently and that's because my friend uses one. I don't think you should have heard of it just because you're in HCP. Why would a midwife need to know? Or a diabetes nurse?

Nope. (Paediatrician)

Ok. Just watched a YouTube video. I have NEVER seen one of these in use, ever, in nearly 20 years of frontline clinical work. Do care homes have these and they’re just hiding them from us?

@dogscatsandbabies I agree , an OP clinic wouldn't have access to such equipment and the staff are probably hca's not hcp's.

Sure do. Had a fight with many a trailing wire and rug edge!

I wouldn't always expect a clinic to have lifting equipment but using the heave ho shouldn't have happened, maybe your friend should write to the unit manager highlighting this, all staff have to undergo manual handling.

Just had a Google. I'd not know if by that name, it's not something I've ever heard referred to in my trust but have seen them. Would likely be called a stand aid. Not something that would get much use in my clinical area though and not something that has been shown as routine in any manual handling courses I can recall over the years so I don't think I'd expect every HCO to be familiar with one.

HCP*

I do indeed, but it's a brand name so might be referred to as something else in different settings. Also, depending on the work area staff might not be familiar or have access to one (e g. GP or outpatient setting).

Edited just to say I'm a nurse & also to suggest your friend contacts the department to ensure her moving&handling and transfer needs are documented and flagged for her next visit. If this isn't a new need then this should already have been done of course, but it is what it is....

Your friends mobility issue and manual handling needs should be updated and in her notes for any future appointments

Nope never heard of a Sarah Stedy but I do know what a stand aid is & Google shows me it's a brand name for a type of stand aid so it all depends on what its known as in your hospital

An earlier poster said its on your annual manual handling training = that's not the case for everyone, you get trained on what's relevant to your area & for many , training on a stand aid is just not required as you will never need to use it OR its so infrequently required in your area that you would not be deemed competent to use it

Yes. Fantastic piece of kit.
As a paramedic, we are expected to magically maneuver patients when attending.
We are normal strength people just like anyone else, and seeing one of these makes my spine breathe a sigh of relief!

Paramedic - I know what one is and could point it out, but I wouldn't know how to use one.

Oooh, where are you based and who did your MH training? Completely the opposite in my Trust! (And yes, agree with the magical manoeuvres expectations).
We only have lifting belt’s and turntables in our trust, but I’ve never seen this bit of kit in care homes either.

I do know what one is but I'm an OT so can prescribe them.
There're a relatively recent addition to our manual handling "kit" in my trust.
I'm sorry your friend went through this. She needs to have her needs clearly documented on her notes so that they have the correct equipment read next time. It may not be a Sara Stedy but they will have something to support her if she cant transfer unaided.

Yes, but I’m a physio. They are mainly used on wards so some outpatient staff may be less aware.

Also there may be different brands/types of aids used in different trusts so the name may not be recognised.

Some HCPs may recognise one to see, from manual handling training, but not remember the name if they don’t use them regularly.

No I don't know the name but I recognise the equipment, we call it a "sit to stand" and would very rarely use them on my ward, maybe once to twice a year. If your friend was going in for an outpatient appointment at a clinic then I wouldn't be too surprised that the staff wouldn't have encountered them before.

I’m an OT and I’ve never heard of it!

Oh I’ve heard of a standaid

Physio-yep!

Aww I know you've had your answers already but yes! I know what this is but I work with mostly older people now who tend to have more frailty/ mobility needs.

Back in the olden days where I worked in working age mental health I wouldn't really have known- might have had a good guess.

Yes, but I don't think they're standard on medical wards, certainly not in outpatients. They have them on stroke wards I think.
Hopefully the hcps haven't damaged their backs while helping the patient 🙏

Yes but you have different types now such as a Macworth. I wouldn't expect outpatient staff to know what one is, have one available or be competent in using it mind. I think your friend needs to make her manual handling needs known in advance of appointments as others have suggested.

@PostItInABook ha! I know it's not part of our MH training either! But I still use them, in my defense, I have a relative that I care for often, who has one and we use to transfer. I wasn't shown by the OT then either.

Nurse with 36 years experience - have worked in young disabled unit and elderely care extensively - but hsd to google it. We called it a stand aid.