Ceiling lift technology is core to any healthcare organization’s safe patient handling program. It is well established that mechanical lifts are the safest option for both staff and patients. As adoption of lift technology has increased, advancements in how these units function and perform, especially in emergency situations, helps further safeguard patients and staff alike from unintended injury. Standard technology may meet basic requirements, but recent innovations to lift technology present an opportunity to enhance safety even more.
Unexpected emergencies can sometimes occur during the mechanical lifting process. Caregiving staff need a fast and effective way to stop lift motion without warning. To address this, the standard emergency stop feature on Savaria’s new M-Series Clinical and M-Series Bariatric lithium-ion battery powered ceiling lifts will now include a proprietary safety feature called Powered 3-Down™ three-mode emergency function.
As a standard safety feature, all mechanical lifts are equipped with an emergency stop feature that allows for immediate halting of the lifting process in case of an emergency or unexpected situation. This critical feature is an important safeguard for caregivers and patients alike.
However, standard emergency stop technology simply interrupts power to the unit and switches it to a mode that allows staff to manually lower the lift to a safe position. But Savaria’s new proprietary three-mode function technology goes beyond the standard process, streamlining the user experience and enhancing patient safety.
To activate, the user simply pulls on a highly visible, bright red emergency stop fob to immediately interrupt power to the unit and stop the lift’s movement.
This also provides instant access to a two-button panel that extends from the fob, offering three modes of emergency function:
This function ensures maximum user control over the process of safely lowering a patient to a chair or bed while in emergency mode. To activate the lowering function of the lift, the user must simultaneously press the down arrow while also maintaining a downward pull on the cord it is attached to. This acts as a safeguard against unexpected or unwanted lowering, as the movement stops immediately if at any time the downward pull on the cord is released.
The opposite of the powered lowering feature, this allows a patient to be safely raised if suspended in mid-transfer.Another scenario where this feature offers an advantage is in cases where, for example, the emergency stop has been engaged while the patient is in a tub, leaving the patient otherwise stranded. No other ceiling lift on the market includes this safety mode.
This feature introduces increased safety and simplicity into the reset process after the emergency stop has been activated. Any ceiling lift with a powered emergency lowering mode is required to have a means to reset the unit back to its standard operating mode. Because pulling on the emergency stop cord manually moves the unit’s interior stop switch into an engaged position, the unit will not resume operation until that stop switch is manually returned to its closed or “off” position.
Because these units are ceiling-mounted, the stop switch is also at ceiling-height on the underside of the unit. Reaching the switch is impossible from the floor without employing a stick, pole, or even a carry bar to push the switch closed. Or—if required by facility protocol— by calling maintenance or biomed to perform the re-set using a ladder or pole.
These options introduce multiple challenges:
To get around this, some manufacturers have outfitted the emergency stop cord with a tubular sheath, which acts as a pole for pressing the re-set button on the lift. In theory, this is a workable solution. But in reality, it creates an infection control issue, and in some instances can snap out of position and create a hazard.
Savaria’s 3-Down™ emergency feature circumvents all of these obstacles, offering a safer and more efficient option. It allows resetting from the ground simply by clicking the fob back to its closed position. This immediately takes the lift out of emergency stop mode and puts it back into standard operating mode.
Additionally, the lift includes a failsafe mechanism for manual lowering in the event the lift becomes completely inoperable.
The proprietary 3-Down™ feature is patent pending in north America and internationally.
It’s easy to see why the Savaria Emergency Stop with Powered 3-Down™ function offers superior function and safety over traditional lift technology. For deeper insights, let’s explore some frequently asked questions about this feature:
Safety standards require a “double-fault” or redundancy condition to prevent hazardous situations (ex: uncontrolled movement). Typical units on the market are in fact single-fault without penalty. Savaria’s emergency stop technology provides the required redundancy with a requirement to 1) pull and maintain tension on the cord, and 2) press the button while maintaining tension. Additionally, there is built-in redundancy in the unit’s electronics.
No, all fob components are inherently anti-microbial and the cord and fob can be wiped down in place. In addition, the cord is essentially “bullet-proof”— it is made of UL rated, industrial-grade underwater cable. This same material is used in applications such as forcefully pulling a diagnostic camera through a sewer pipe, illustrating its resistance to moisture and its strength.
For further sanitation, the unit itself is designed with drainage holes in the event of cleaning solution entering the unit (liquid does not harm the electronics). All components have extra protection against shorting. The fob and cord can be cleaned using the same procedures recommended by the operating manual for the lift unit itself.
In some cases, varying ceiling heights may require cord adjustments. Savaria’s Emergency Stop cord can be lengthened or shortened by 12” by adjusting it within the cabin of the lift mechanism and re-applying a strain relief securing clip.
No, all M-Series Clinical and M-Series Bariatric units shipped after March 1, 2025 will include this feature at no extra charge.
If you’re ready to accelerate your organization’s safe patient handling program with Savaria’s innovative ceiling lift technology equipped with the Emergency Stop with Powered 3-Down™ feature, get in touch with our experts today.
Technology
Continued advancements in the healthcare industry include the use of lithium-ion technology to power medical devices. At Savaria Patient Care, we remain on the leading edge of this technology and are committed to safety and innovation with the use of lithium-ion batteries in our lift devices. By adhering to rigorous design standards and testing, we […]