Running Head: PRODUCT EVALUATION 1

Product Evaluation

Samantha Laura Medkiff

University of Incarnate Word

PRODUCT EVALUATION 2

Description of Product and Manufacturer’s Claims

The LikoGuard L overhead lift system is an overhead lift model that easily handles most

common lifting tasks. The versatile LikoGuard L (2018) system claims to offer safe and service-

friendly lifting assistance at an attractive price. The lifts have been recognized for safe patient

handling, and the value that having systems and a protocol provides for patients and caregivers

(Rubenfire, 2015).

The motor’s 200 cm (79 inches) lifting interval handles lifts from the floor in most environments,

and the system can be equipped with a special carriage for easy room-to-room transfers. Simple

wall charging via hand control adds to its convenience appeal. The overhead lifting unit has a

lifting range of 2300mm, with 232mm from the central suspension point and the attachment

point for the unit on the carriage.

Comparison of Use

Two products can be compared to the Likoguard L. First is the Hoyer lift which is currently

being used at the facility to transfer, turn and mobilize patients. Because of the size of the Hoyer

lift, there are certain disadvantages, such as accessibility and storage. If an additional Hoyer lift

is purchased, more storage will need to be determined. Manual Hoyer lifts average between

$500.00 - $800.00.

Another product available would be the sit-to-stand lift. Like the Hoyer lift, this requires

designated storage and accessibility. This is mainly designed for patients who have difficulty in

standing up on their own from a seated position. The sit-to-stand lift requires the patient to

actively participate in their own mobilization. Because of the patient population in the current
PRODUCT EVALUATION 3

setting, not all patients would benefit from this specific type of lift. The average price for a sit-to-

stand lift is $900.00 - $1,200.00.

Ease of use of this product

LikoGuard L is operated with a light push on the buttons of the hand control. The arrow

directions should be the same as the direction intended. The movement ceases when the button is

released. The lifting motion can be controlled without hand control via buttons up and down on

the end cover of the lift.

The LikoGuard L has been designed to save time for cleaning and storage. All parts are easily

kept clean to avoid the risk of infection. Standard precautions must be taken to eliminate all

visible stains and dirt. The cleaning and disinfection methods described are specifically aimed at

the lift and all accessories.

Ergonomics

The LikoGuard L does not require repetitive movements, muscle straining, or periods of

prolonged standing. If used correctly, which involves two staff members present, product is not a

risk for injury. The LikoGuard L does not require any significant dexterity to be operated

efficiently.

Manufacturer instructions

Manufacturer instructions are written clear and accurate. Trouble shooting information is

available in print and online. Hill-Rom provides various resources such as downloadable

documents, videos, and pictures. A service hotline is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, to

access troubleshooting.
PRODUCT EVALUATION 4

Safety features

The intended use for the LikoGuard L overhead lift does not include any lifting by the patient or

person alone. Lifting and transferring a person shall always be performed with the assistance of

at least one caregiver for the patient. The LikoGuard L overhead lift is used to perform the lift

but is not in contact with the patient. The patented, manual emergency stop and lowering

mechanism is easy to reach, engage, and operate. Safety features include a patented safety drum

with speed limiter and electrical and mechanical emergency lowering.

Educational Expenses

Training and coaching have the potential to enhance uptake and effective use of lifts by

increasing knowledge of, and familiarity with equipment, and ultimately increasing confidence

and comfort with its use (Tompa et al., 2015). The Nurse Educator will allot three days in which

the staff can swap out to attend a brief 30-minute orientation to the equipment. Informal

coaching will be provided on the floor while nurses execute daily duties, in addition to available

online video resources. Nurses are paid for the straight-time hours of their shift varying on each

full-time equivalents (FTEs). With an average salary of $25.00/HR this would cost $125.00 to

train 10 nurses during the day (10RNs{$25 X 0.5HR}).

Ease of Repair

After purchased, the LikoGuard L (2018) comes with a three-year warranty, which includes full

coverage of the product. Hill-Rom warrants to the original purchaser that its products and

replacement parts shall be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one

year from date of delivery. The Technical Support Department quoted “140$/ hour” for average

pricing for service repairs that are not covered by warranty. The product has an expected life
PRODUCT EVALUATION 5

time of 10 years when correctly handled, serviced and inspected in accordance with LikoGuard L

product instructions.

The LikoGuard L requires to be used with a sling which can be used in most lifting situations. In

comparison to both the Hoyer lift and sit-to-stand lift, all products require slings. The sling is a

disposable item which is intended for individual use only and is priced at approximately $200.00.

Security

The LikoGuard L is installed into the overhead ceiling, hence the likelihood of the product to be

stolen is extremely low. The product can only be used in the installed room and is secured

permanently to the ceiling. In addition to the product being very accessible it is also easy to be

monitored by staff. Most overhead lifts can be retrofitted in the rooms, additional inspection is

required prior to installation.

Environmental Impact

Hill-Rom is dedicated to business practices that are environmentally sound. Their company is

invested in finding innovative solutions to reduce use of materials throughout their operations.

Hill-Rom is committed to the responsible management use and disposal of chemicals used in the

manufacture of their products, including the LikoGuard L. Through trade-in or buy back, many

of their products are reconditioned and returned to the market or the materials recycled to

reclaim metals, plastics and electronic components. In addition to recycling efforts, they pursue

environmentally sound facilities management practices.

PRODUCT EVALUATION 6

Device Safety Reports

Reviewed MAUDE and MDR databases for information about reported safety concerns. None

found on LikoGuard L.

Cost of Product

Average price for the LikoGuard L is $2,000.00, for installation and set-up. With a twenty-bed

ICU, we are anticipating a $40,000.00 expense. Annually, the LikoGuard L needs to be serviced,

maintained and inspected. The technical support department quoted an average of “$70.00/HR”

for preventative maintenance inspection for each lift, with an average of two hours varying on

the current mechanical state of the device. If two hours is dedicated to inspecting each individual

lift, that would cost a total of $2800.00 (20 lifts {$70/HR X 2 HRS}).

Recommendation

The LikoGuard L can be used for (1) Lifting between a bed and a wheelchair and for toileting,

(2) Lifting to / from the floor (3) Lifting together with a stretcher, and (4) Rehabilitation training

such as walking and standing. The LikoGuard L is safe for both patients and staff, encourage

positive outcomes, and can be cost-effective when utilized appropriately. In addition to an

effective ergonomics and safety policy, the LikoGuard L is beneficial to prevent caregiver

injuries and related costs.

Because of the high expenses associated with the installation of the lift, my recommendation

would be to select a number of rooms that may benefit from the LikoGuard L. With appropriate

patient placement and targeting high–risk patients the lift can be specifically utilized on the

select patients. If funding is available, considering installing lifts in all room may be further

explored.
PRODUCT EVALUATION 7

Healthcare expenditures attributable to older adult falls vary according to service type; 4.4% of

hospital expenditures ($12.9 billion) were due to falls (Florence et al., 2018). According to the

CDC (2018), because the U.S. population is aging, both the number of falls and the costs to treat

fall injuries are likely to rise. In addition to the costs related to hospital falls and injuries,

stakeholders should consider investing in equipment that benefits patient safety.

PRODUCT EVALUATION 8

References

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Retrieved from

https://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html

Florence, C., Bergen, G., Atherly, A., Burns, E., Stevens, J., & Drake, C. (2018). Medical Costs

of Fatal and Nonfatal Falls in Older Adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics

Society, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 07 March 2018.

LikoGuard L. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.hill-rom.com/usa/Products/Category/Patient-

Handling/Overhead-patient-lifts/likoguard-l-xl/

MAUDE Database. (2018). Retrieved from

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfmaude/results.cfm

Rubenfire, A. (2015). TAKING A LOAD OFF NURSES; Hospitals eye installing patient lifts

but face technical, cost challenges. Modern Healthcare, 45(26), 0016.

Tompa, E., Dolinschi, R., Alamgir, H., Sarnocinska-Hart, A., & Guzman, J. (2015). A cost-

benefit analysis of peer coaching for overhead lift use in the long-term care sector in

Canada. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 73(5), 308-14.