Reducing Injuries and Boosting Compliance with Ceiling Lift Systems

The integration of ceiling lift systems into safe patient handling and mobility (SPHM) programs is

essential to minimizing musculoskeletal injuries among healthcare workers and improving outcomes for patients with mobility limitations. Ceiling lifts are a vital tool in SPHM programs and assist in patient lifting, transferring, repositioning, ambulating, and exercise activities; all while helping to reduce caregiver strain and support patient dignity and safety.

This article explores the role of ceiling lifts in SPHM programs, with a focus on clinical efficacy, operational efficiency, safety benefits, and cost savings.

Injury Rates Due To Manual Lifting

Musculoskeletal injuries account for a significant portion of work-related injuries among healthcare workers, particularly in nursing.

• Almost 60% of healthcare workers surveyed reported a history of work-related musculoskeletal pain or injuries lasting more than a week, with back injuries being the most common (80.2%).[1] 

• Nursing assistants suffer more of these injuries than any other occupation.[2] 

• Approximately one-third of injured healthcare workers changed roles due to their injuries, underscoring the professional impact of MSDs, with many eventually leaving the profession due to chronic pain or injury. [3]

Ceiling lifts help mitigate these risks, enabling safer work environments that can contribute to improved retention and reduced turnover.

Benefits of Ceiling Lifts in SPHM Programs

Injury Reduction for Healthcare Workers

Studies consistently show ceiling lifts reduce the biomechanical load on caregivers, particularly in high-risk tasks like transferring or repositioning dependent patients. One study found that nurses working in units with ceiling lifts reported significantly fewer low back and shoulder symptoms​.[4]

Improved Accessibility and Compliance

Ceiling lift use is also associated with higher utilization. Equipment that is accessible and convenient is more likely to be used. Ceiling lifts are ready at the point of care and avoid the delays and physical effort associated with locating and transporting floor-based devices leading to increased compliance among staff. A study published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies found that when lift equipment, regardless of type, was located in or near the patient’s room, it was used in 92% of applicable cases thus driving compliance.[5] A separate study noted nurses with ceiling lifts reported higher use compliance compared to those with only floor-based lifts.[6]

Ceiling lifts eliminate storage issues and streamline workflows while boosting compliance, which is essential for realizing the full injury prevention benefits of SPHM programs.

Efficiency and Safety for Caregivers

Ceiling lifts from EZ Way are designed to be operated by a single caregiver, enabling organizations to maintain care quality even with reduced staffing. These systems are also compatible with a wide range

of slings, including walking harnesses, which support ambulation therapy, a key component of patient mobility plans. The systems feature:

• 650 lb. and 1,000 lb. weight capacities, enabling bariatric safe patient handling.

• Optional portable motors.

• Can be configured for manual or power traverse.

• Optional continuous charging to ensure the lift is always charged and operational.

• Customizable ceiling track layouts to fit room, patient, and caregiver needs.

Their integration into the patient care environment streamlines transfer workflows, allowing tasks to be completed with fewer staff. This is especially valuable during staffing shortages.

Patient Safety and Comfort

Ceiling lifts are engineered not only for caregiver safety but also to enhance the comfort and security of patients during transfers. EZ Way Ceiling Lifts are specifically designed to reduce stress, ensure stability, and provide a smoother, more dignified experience for patients with features such as:

• 4-point spreader bar hookup to reduce pressure points and allow for more natural positioning

• Electronic soft-start and stop functions to ensure gentle handling.

• Overload protection.

• Dual-pawl emergency brake systems.

• Manual and emergency down controls.

Ceiling Lift System in patient bathroom.

Durability and Intelligent Monitoring

EZ Way ceiling lifts are built with an all-metal drive train and high-torque motors ensuring a longer lifecycle and a lower total cost of ownership. EZ Way ceiling lifts are engineered with features including:

• Smart Technology with usage tracking and inspection reminders

• Backlit LCD screens showing battery life and operational messages

• All-metal drive trains for durability

• 10-year warranty on the chassis and 3-year warranty on components

Data-Driven Outcomes and ROI

Savings on Injuries Cost

A 2013 study noted the average cost of a patient-handling injury claim is over $15,000, with indirect costs (turnover, training, lost productivity) estimated to be 2 - 4 times higher, making injury prevention a key strategy for workforce sustainability.[7] Preventing just a few injuries annually can quickly offset the cost of a ceiling lift installation. One nurse study showed that:

• Healthcare facilities implementing ceiling lifts reported approximately 50% lower workers' compensation costs related to musculoskeletal injuries.[8] 

• Ceiling lifts reduced major work-related musculoskeletal injuries in the lower back by 48% and in the shoulders by 41%.[9]

Efficiency, Satisfaction, and Compliance

The three case studies below examined the outcomes of ceiling lifts, focusing on injury reduction, perceptions, and usage patterns. The studies show ceiling lifts have clear advantages in frequency of use, staff and patient satisfaction, and injury prevention.

• California Nurse Study - Nurses with access to ceiling lifts reported using the equipment significantly more often than those with floor-based lifts. Nurses using ceiling lifts had significantly more positive perceptions regarding the ease of use, accessibility, safety for both patients and workers, and patient comfort. These nurses rated their equipment as easier to access and store, with a higher overall satisfaction with its functionality.[10]

• Three-Hospital Cohort - In over 3,200 transfers tracked, ceiling lifts were more consistently used. These facilities also observed fewer missed transfers due to equipment unavailability. The study concluded that the availability of equipment and supplies significantly increased the likelihood of usage.[11]

• Healthcare Worker Survey Study – This study showed that SPHM equipment, including ceiling lifts, was found to reduce physical stress during patient handling, lower injury rates, and decrease time needed for patient transfers. Ceiling lifts specifically reduced transfer times from 273.6 to 156.9 seconds and lowered musculoskeletal pain prevalence from 58.2% to 43.0%.[12]

• Operational ROI - Organizations that have implemented ceiling lifts as part of a broader SPHM program often see return on investment in under three years, factoring in injury cost reduction, improved staff retention, and fewer lost workdays.

Building Safer, Smarter SPHM Programs

Ceiling lifts are not just an equipment upgrade; they’re a cornerstone of a resilient SPHM program. For healthcare organizations seeking to reduce injury-related costs, improve staff retention, and enhance patient handling practices, ceiling lift systems offer a data-supported path toward safer environments, cost containment, and improved care delivery.

Ready to upgrade your SPHM program?

Contact EZ Way today for a site assessment or product demo. Call 1-800-627-8940 or fill out our Contact Us form.

[1] Wiggermann, N., Francis, R., & Solomon, A. "Individual and Organizational Factors Associated with Injury History and Patient Handling Behaviors: Results from a Nationwide Survey of Healthcare Workers." Applied Ergonomics 118 (2024): 104251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104251.

[2] Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Safe Patient Handling Programs: Effectiveness and Cost Savings. OSHA 3729-09/2013. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, 2013. https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3729.pdf.

[3] Wiggermann, N., Francis, R., & Solomon, A. "Individual and Organizational Factors Associated with Injury History and Patient Handling Behaviors: Results from a Nationwide Survey of Healthcare Workers." Applied Ergonomics 118 (2024): 104251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104251.

[4] Wiggermann, N., Francis, R., & Solomon, A. "Individual and Organizational Factors Associated with Injury History and Patient Handling Behaviors: Results from a Nationwide Survey of Healthcare Workers." Applied Ergonomics 118 (2024): 104251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104251.

[5] Kucera, Kristen L., Dana C. Mora, Cathleen A. Gillespie, Barbara J. Silverstein, and Laura Punnett. “Factors Associated with Lift Equipment Use During Patient Lifts and Transfers by Hospital Nurses and Nursing Care Assistants: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.” International Journal of Nursing Studies 91 (2019): 35–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2018.11.006.

[6] Wiggermann, N., Francis, R., & Solomon, A. "Individual and Organizational Factors Associated with Injury History and Patient Handling Behaviors: Results from a Nationwide Survey of Healthcare Workers." Applied Ergonomics 118 (2024): 104251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104251.

[7]   Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Safe Patient Handling Programs: Effectiveness and Cost Savings. OSHA 3729-09/2013. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, 2013. https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3729.pdf.

[8] Soo-Jeong Lee and David Rempel, "Comparison of Lift Use, Perceptions, and Musculoskeletal Symptoms Between Ceiling Lifts and Floor-Based Lifts in Patient Handling," Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96083-8_29.

[9] IBID

[10] Soo-Jeong Lee and David Rempel, "Comparison of Lift Use, Perceptions, and Musculoskeletal Symptoms Between Ceiling Lifts and Floor-Based Lifts in Patient Handling," Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96083-8_29.

[11] Kristen L. Kucera et al., "Factors Associated with Lift Equipment Use During Patient Lifts and Transfers by Hospital Nurses and Nursing Care Assistants: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study," International Journal of Nursing Studies 91 (2019): 35–46, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2018.11.006. [The relative risk (RR) for lift equipment use when supplies were available was 9.61 (95% CI: 6.32–14.63). This translates to a 961% increase in the likelihood of usage when supplies were available, compared to when they were not. You can find this result in Table 3 of the study, under the "Equipment Factor" section.]

[12] Wiggermann, N., Francis, R., & Solomon, A. "Individual and Organizational Factors Associated with Injury History and Patient Handling Behaviors: Results from a Nationwide Survey of Healthcare Workers." Applied Ergonomics 118 (2024): 104251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104251.