A: Based on the principles of pressure care and positioning, clients should not be left sitting on hoist slings.
Leaving a sling under a client whilst sitting in any seating system can cause the following situations:
- Increased risk of pressure injury due to compromising the effectiveness of the pressure relieving surface and the risk of bunching of the sling under the client
- Sliding out of the chair due to movement on the fabric and discomfort.
- Required repositioning of the sling before a transfer can be completed as the client has moved and the sling is no longer in an appropriate lifting positioning creating increased manual handling for carers.