When it comes to a choice between manual and electric patient lifts, the electrics are winning out. Indeed, the mantra among lift manufacturers these days is "a motorized lift can save the caregiver's back"-and cut costs in the long run.

With lawsuits and other live wires that can be tripped when one is hurt on the job, providers are compelled to consider ergonomics and safety when choosing their products, says Noel Duquette, vice president of marketing for T.H.E. Medical, Ontario, Canada. "Most companies definitely are moving to avoid injury from repetitive STRAIN, ESPECIALLY IN regard to the caregiver," he says. "There is a big physical difference between pushing a button and pumping a manual lift."

Soren Stig-Nielsen, vice president of Linak U.S., Louisville, Ky., says that the ratio of manual to electric patient lifts has decreased tremendously over the past few years. "You have to realize, from a manufacturer's standpoint, that people naturally want to do things the easiest way possible," he says. But Stig-Nielsen notes that cost has traditionally played a large role in the electric decision. "When you consider buying a hydraulic lift versus buying an electric lift, you see that the gap between the two is narrowing. There isn't a great difference, especially if you add up all the advantages that an electric lift has," he says.

Harold Sharff, president of Brookline, Mass.-based Rehab Seating Systems, believes the time is coming when electric will be the only acceptable lift. "The insurance companies and [the Occupational Safety and Health Administration] are both concerned with the frequency of back injuries in the health care industry," he says. "The majority of injuries are due to lifting and transporting patients."

Sharff adds that there are more reported overexertion and strain injuries in the home care industry than in the hospital industry. "There are many more claims from lifting and transferring patients in the home, because in a hospital, they usually have a team," he says. "At home, they usually have only one caregiver. The fewer people you have, the more risk involved for the patient and the caregiver."

Following is a selection of patient lifts and transfer devices.