EP3146952A1

EP3146952A1 - Dignity cover

Info

Publication number: EP3146952A1
Application number: EP16191167.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Joshua Dwayne Campbell
Original assignee: Waymayka Ltd
Current assignee: Waymayka Ltd
Priority date: 2015-09-28
Filing date: 2016-09-28
Publication date: 2017-03-29
Also published as: GB2542621A; GB201517074D0

Abstract

A dignity cover for a patient to use in conjunction with a hoist is disclosed, comprising a flexible elongate sheet having two holes or openings suitably spaced inwards of its edge and suitable for the straps of a hoisting mechanism to be positioned through the holes or openings such that a patient can be hoisted with straps extending through both holes or openings with a hoist support mounted between the straps underneath the patient, such that the dignity cover retains in place whilst the patient is being hoisted by virtue of the straps through the holes or openings.

Description

This invention relates to a cover for preserving the dignity of a person being hoisted.
It is often required to hoist patients, particularly patients with certain disabilities, patients with Alzheimer's or other illnesses, and so on. It is important that the experience when being hoisted is as calm and stress-free as possible and that the patient feels as comfortable as possible. The dignity of a patient is also of primary importance. Steps should always be taken to try avoid exposing more of the patient's body than is absolutely necessary and to preserving their "dignity", particularly when a patient is wearing nightwear, a surgical gown or other loose clothing.
Previously, patients could be partly covered with a blanket or sheet but these tend to slip off and also they may not be sufficiently durable and/or waterproof for use of with a distressed and possibly incontinent patient.
The present invention arose in an attempt to provide an improved dignity cover. That is, a cover that is placed over a patient's body or part thereof to cover part of the body, especially the more intimate parts.
Accordingly to the present invention in a first aspect there is provided a dignity cover for a patient to use in conjunction with a hoist, comprising a flexible sheet having top and bottom and side edges, and two holes or openings suitable for the straps of a hoisting mechanism to be positioned through holes such that a patient can be hoisted with straps extending through both holes with a hoist support mounted between the straps underneath the patient, such that the dignity cover retains in place whilst the patient is being hoisted by virtue of the straps through the holes or openings.
The dignity cover is preferably weighted at its edges, or part thereof and, preferably, also at least one of the ends. This may be by edge strips of an additional material, for example webbing material, which increases the weight per unit area where it is applied.
The openings are preferably elongate, in the length direction of the sheet, and provided in a spaced apart relationship approximately the same distance from the ends of the sheet and preferably parallel to one another. They are therefore symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal centre line of the centre. They may be rectangular openings. They are most preferably provided nearer one end than the other and this end is to be placed over a patient towards the head of the patient's feet.
The dignity cover may further comprise a handle portion towards its top end. This may be formed of a webbing material attached at each of its ends to the top face of the cover.
The dignity cover is preferably formed of a waterproof material or covered with waterproof material.
In a further aspect the invention provides a method of protecting the dignity of a patient being hoisted, comprising providing a cover as described above, and causing straps of a hoist mechanism to extend through the openings, under the patient's upper legs or hip and lifting the patient using the hoist, whereby the cover is retained generally in place whilst the patient is being hoisted.
The spacing between the top of each opening to the top of the dignity cover is preferably between about 10cms and 50cms such as between 20cms and 35cms and a typical example is 25.4cms spaced from the top of the sheet.
Thus, when in use, when a patient is hoisted, with the dignity cover in place and the straps of the hoist provided through the hoisting holes, the cover is retained in place, thus preserving a patient's dignity when they are raised by the hoist and prevent any embarrassing exposure of body parts, undergarments, etc.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure 1 shows a dignity cover;
Figure 2 shows schematically how the cover may be used; and
Figure 3 also shows schematically how the cover may be used.

Referring to Figure 1, a dignity cover 1 is shown in the form of a sheet which is most preferably of a waterproof material such as a plastic material, for example, nylon, although it may be made of other material. Most preferably, it is of material which is waterproof and relatively low friction. It may be formed of one material which is then coated with a waterproof material such as polymer coating. In one example, which is particularly suitable for an adult, the sheet is a rectangular sheet of dimensions 120cm by 71cm.
Each of the long sides 2 and 3 are provided with a strip of a webbing material which increases the weight, and therefore provides weighting down the sides of the dignity cover. This webbing material serves both to give the stability and also provides additional weight to the sides so that the cover hangs off the sides of a person when placed over a person's lap. Any suitable material may be used. Alternatively or additionally, discreet patches or strips of weighting material, or discreet weights may be applied to one or more positions along the respective edges 2, 3. A typical width of the webbing material is 2.5cm.
Webbing material or other weighting material may also be applied to the "bottom" end 6 of the dignity cover although this is not shown in Figure 1. Towards the opposite end 7 (the "upper" end) there is provided a handle 8 which can also be formed of a webbing material. In one embodiment this may be about 23cm in length and about 2.5cm in width. It may be formed of a length of webbing material which is attached at each of its ends to the sheet 1 so its centre portion can be grasped and used to lift the sheet. The handle may of course be formed in any way and may simply be an opening in the sheet or be a rigid or flexible handle or any other type of handle suitably attached to the sheet.
The sheet is provided with two openings which are, in this embodiment, in the form of two longitudinally extending holes 10 and 11. These are each spaced a distance of 12.7cm from the inner sides of the respective webbing side strips and a distance of 25.4cm from the top 8 of the sheet. They run parallel and at equal heights (in this embodiment). Each of the holes 10 and 11 are of dimensions about 25cm by 2.5cm. They may be formed by making cuts in the material (each of nylon material) of sheet and webbing or other strengthening material may be provided around the edges of the holes to strengthen them extend lifetime.
The purpose of the holes 10 and 11 is to enable hoist straps to be passed through each of the holes, then fixed around a patient, in order for a patient to be raised. The holes are symmetrically arranged about the centre line of the cover.
Figure 2 shows the sheet 1 with a typical hoist mechanism 20. This comprises two pairs of straps 21, 22 and 23, 24 which are each fixed at one end (or are integral with) a wider support 25 which is, in use, positioned underneath a user 5. In use, as is shown more clearly in Figure 3, the support 25 lies under and supports the legs 26 of a patient 27. Thus, in the type of hoist shown in Figure 2 the end of straps 21 to 24 may be unclipped from a support member 28, the straps secured around a patient and then re-secured to the support member 28 so that the hoist can be raised by a suitable electrical or manual mechanism (now shown). As the hoist straps extend from below the patient around the sides of the legs of a patient and up through the holes 10 and 11 the dignity cover remains in place and its weighted edges also assist in the dignity cover staying in place whilst the patient is raised. If the cover is placed such that its lower end extends below the knees of the patient then as the patient is raised his or her dignity is kept intact. There is no risk of the cover slipping off in any direction since the straps are retained within the holes 10, 11.
Other types of hoist may be used in which individual straps are mounted around the legs of a user, for example, rather than a strap being mounted underneath both legs together, or other types of hoist may be used but the same general principle applies in which the dignity cover is retained by virtue of the straps passing through the holes 10 and 11.
The precise position of the holes 10, 11 may depend upon the patient, or the particular use of the dignity sheet. However, the example given is found to be practical and effective for most patients. It is preferable that the holes 10, 11 are placed nearer the "top" end 8 than "bottom" end 6 and also that strap 9 is positioned closer to end 8 than the holes. A nervous patient might also want to hold onto the handle, which is a further advantage of the handle. Further handles may be provided, for example, towards the edges of the dignity cover, for this purpose.
The cover is formed of, or coated with, a waterproof material in case of any accidents and to enable it to be easily and hygienically cleaned between uses.
In a preferred version, the cover is coloured in a dark purple/plum colour. This is considered to be a particularly calming colour and it is hopeful for the appearance to be as calming as possible since the patient being hoisted may be in a stressful state.
The dimensions given are for an adult sized dignity cover. Other sizes, having approximately the same ration between sizes may be used for children for example, who may require a shorter cover.
A dignity cover may be used exclusively for one individual, to avoid cross-contamination. It may therefore be provided with a label the user or their carer can enter the user's details on.

Claims

A dignity cover for a patient to use in conjunction with a hoist is disclosed, comprising a flexible elongate sheet having two holes or openings suitably spaced inwards of its edge and suitable for the straps of a hoisting mechanism to be positioned through the holes or openings such that a patient can be hoisted with straps extending through both holes or openings with a hoist support mounted between the straps underneath the patient, such that the dignity cover retains in place whilst the patient is being hoisted by virtue of the straps through the holes or openings.
A dignity cover as claimed in claim 1 which is provided with one or more weights or parts of additional material at its edges.
A dignity cover as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the holes and openings are provided nearer one end of the cover than the other.
A dignity cover as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the holes or openings are symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal centre line of the cover and for equally spaced from the ends of the cover.
A dignity cover as claimed in any proceeding claim including a strap for lifting the cover by hand, provided between ends of the holes of opening and an end of the dignity cover.
A dignity cover as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the holes or openings are rectangular holes.
A dignity cover as claimed in claim 6 wherein the rectangular holes have inner dimensions of approximately of about 25cm by 2.5cm.
A dignity cover as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the cover is generally rectangular.
A dignity cover as claimed in any proceeding claim comprising the areas of greater weight comprising one or more strips of a webbing material towards the edges and/or an end of the dignity cover.
A dignity cover as claimed in claim 10 wherein the closest part of the holes to an end of the cover is about 25cm.
A method of protecting the dignity of a patient being hoisted, comprising providing a cover as claimed in any proceeding claim, placing this over the body of a patient such that it extends from below the knee area to above the lap area of a patient and causing the straps of a hoist mechanism to extend through the openings, causing a support of the hoist, supported by the straps, to lie under a patient's legs and hoisting the patient whilst the straps retain the dignity cover in place.