Customer Care
Find answers to commonly asked questions about our products and services:
- It will be necessary to involve a qualified healthcare professional who is trained to assess for an appropriate product
- They will carry out a full risk assessment to understand the exact requirements of the patient
- They will give training to carers on the correct application techniques, etc., for the selected product
- It will be necessary for a qualified healthcare professional to carry out an assessment to determine what style of sling is suitable for the patient
- Once a suitable product has been selected, it can be manufactured in polyester mesh, which will allow the water to drain more quickly
- Most full-body, divided-leg slings will have enough ‘aperture’ to allow for a hygiene transfer, although clothing would have to be removed prior to the application
- If more access is required, a toilet/access sling could be considered subject to thorough risk assessment, however, this style of sling offers limited support, so the patient must have good upper body/hip strength
- Check to see if the largest standard size is suitable in the style required
- All standard slings are available up to size XXL (SWL 220kg/35 Stone)
- If a standard size is not suitable an assessment will be required. Contact us at silvalea.com/customer-care
- Check patient can weight bear as a stand aid is an aid to stand ONLY
- Check hoist fixings
- Refer to the website for stand aid choices. If this is for a standing harness, refer to the website for options here
- NO sling should remain under a patient all day
- Only careful consideration by a qualified healthcare professional will decide whether to leave the sling under the person for extended periods while they remain sitting in a chair or on a bed
- A proper care plan must be established based on clinical best practices. A full risk assessment must include regular inspection of pressure points and repositioning
- A sling DOES NOT have pressure relieving properties
- Consideration must be given if the patient is using a pressure care product and what impact a sling would have on its properties
- NO
- A toilet sling is structured, has padding throughout and stiffeners that will be too bulky to remain in place for extended periods
- If the patient has enough core strength to cope with a toileting sling, a sling can easily be removed
- NO. Detachable tapes are no longer available on standard In-situ sling
Detachable tapes will be considered on a tailor-made product but must be specifically requested following a risk assessment & disclaimer
- Sling pockets are discouraged as once the sling tape is enclosed there is considerable bulk and potential for pressure
- An alternative would be look at the Silva Safety Slot® tapes that are more streamline than loops and will easily fold
- Determine what style of sling is most appropriate for the patient
- Locate the sling on the website and check Sizing Guide
- A Silvalea E-Assessment can be carried out to assist with custom sizing or tailor made slings
- Visually check the sling before each use, paying attention to all lifting straps and ensuring that the sling label is clearly legible
- Follow LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) guidelines if operating within the UK. For rest of the world, please refer to operational regulations within your designated jurisdiction
- Refer to the Instructions of Use
- It is a legal requirement that all lifting equipment must be visibly marked with appropriate information i.e. SWL/size etc
- If the safety information is not legible the sling should be withdrawn from use
- Check the size is correct
- Check style is suitable
- Check the sling has been applied correctly
- Check legs sections are not too long
- Check correct tapes have been applied
- If the patient is still slipping, do not use it and arrange a re-assessment with a qualified healthcare professional
- This will depend on how well the sling is looked after and how often it is used
- Always follow the laundering and care guide given for the sling
- Fading will occur if the sling is laundered incorrectly
- Strong biological or non-biological detergents will have bleaching/whitening agents which will cause fading
- Always use a good quality non-biological washing detergent
- High exposure to drying temperatures will also cause accelerated wear
- Chemicals within a swimming pool/hydro pool can cause fading. The product should be appropriately washed after each use
Follow guidelines on the sling label & care advice within the Instructions of Use
- View our Compatibility Statement here on our downloads web page