Nursing bench essential for personal care and good OH&S practice

A convenient and adaptable nursing bench that can be electrically raised and lowered to appropriate heights for the various activities involved in the care of people with disabilities is now available.

The Enware nursing bench is intended for use in:

Leisure: aquatic centres, fitness clubs/gymnasiums, attractions;

Healthcare: disability facilities, childcare centres, hospitals;

Aged care: nursing homes, shared housing;

Education: universities, schools, childcare centres.

Introducing the nursing bench, Enware Business Development Manager Sandor Franken, explains "where a person needs to be showered while lying down, for example, it is important that the nursing bench can be lowered to a suitable height for transfer from a wheelchair, then raised to a convenient working height for the carer.

"It's equally important that the bench is sufficiently comfortable and safe for the patient. These factors are catered for by the ergonomic design and the padded and protected surfaces of our nursing bench.

"A nursing bench is used either for washing a person, changing their clothes or providing care, such as applying bandages or medications.

"In all cases, carers have to follow OH&S guidelines, which mostly include a 'no lifting' policy.

"The nursing bench is typically installed in a disabled bathroom against a wall, to allow for proper care for the disabled individual and an appropriate work environment for the carer, so that this person doesn't have to bend down and lift."

Aquatic centres and gyms. After a therapy session, a disabled person can be easily transferred from a wheelchair onto the lowered nursing bench. The bench can then be raised to allow the carer to assist the person lying on the bench whilst being showered. The tray under the nursing bench allows the water to drain away and not drop onto the carer's legs.

Schools and childcare centres. Children with a disability who are attending school will have a fulltime carer. When the child needs personal care or cleaning, the carer can take the child to the disabled bathroom which has a nursing bench installed. The child can be transferred to or can sit on the lowered bench. The carer can then raise the bench to a higher level to attend to the child.

The height of the nursing bench can be vertically adjusted by 700 mm simply by using the remote control. The lowest height of the bench is 300 mm from the floor and the maximum height is 1000 mm.

Enware also supplies a fixed height model of the nursing bench where the recommended height is 865 mm above the floor.

The weight loading capacity of both the adjustable and fixed height nursing benches is 200 kg. The adjustable neck support for the patient can be moved to either end of the bench. The optional safety rail can be easily folded up or down.

The bench is for use in both wet and dry areas. The water collection tray is equipped with an integrated water outlet that prevents water from splashing on carers or the floor. A flexible hose attached to the centre-mounted outlet of the water collection tray floor can be connected to an outlet either in the floor or on the wall.

Both fixed height models and electric models include fixing bolts for securing the bench system to a solid wall.

The nursing bench has comfortable surfaces for the patient. The bench, end caps and the safety rail brackets are covered with polyurethane foam. The slightly curved form of the bench makes it extremely secure and safe.

An integrated gas cylinder enables the bench to be easily folded against the wall when not in use, to maximise floor space.

Accessories for the nursing bench include a shower head, shower mixer, baskets and bathroom accessories.

Enware provides adaptable work and living solutions designed to improve the quality of life by maximising individuals' independence, dignity, safety and comfort.

Click here to contact Enware Australia via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.