Ergonomic aspects of equipment.

Mechanical patient-lifting devices have been available for hospital use for at least the past 100 yr. Mobile hoists have been available since the 1950s and the most common U.K. hospital mobile hoist, the Mecanaids' Ambulift, has been available since 1966. Recent investigations have confirmed that these devices are not being used to any significant extent to ease most of the patient-lifting problems in hospital wards. Attention to four variables, the patient, the attendant, the task and the environment, is essential in determining the right systematic approach to equipment design and selection.