The North Yorkshire based healthcare innovations company Salitas is launching a newly-created powered leg suspension system which has the potential to reduce the risk of back injuries associated with manually lifting a leg in operating theatres and hospital wards.
Developed in conjunction with the University of Bradford’s School of Health Studies, the system mechanically lifts and supports the patient’s leg, allowing the medical professional to safely carry out a variety of clinical procedures with reduced risk of muscle strain caused by repeated manual lifting.
Sue Barton, creator of the leg support system and Risk Management Facilitator and Educator at the University of Bradford’s School of Health Studies, said: “Studies that we have conducted at the University of Bradford show that the use of a mechanical device to lift and support the leg, significantly lowers the amount of ‘work done’ by the muscles in the lower back and thereby reducing the risk.
“We invented this support system not only to improve the working practice of health professionals involved in lifting and supporting a leg; but to allow the patient’s leg to be held in a position of comfort – thereby delivering quality patient care.”
