The work in this thesis was concerned with the safety evaluation of a fully powered mechanical patient lift for bariatric patients. A working prototype of this system, called RoboNurse, was designed and manufactured at iDAPT technology team at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. There are currently no lifting technologies similar to RoboNurse in the healthcare industry. The methods that are used to evaluate the system included: 1) Series of mechanical tests to evaluate the static strength and stability of the design 2) Computer simulations to evaluate the dynamic stability of the system and 3) Failure mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) as risk analysis tools. These techniques helped to perform thorough and systematic evaluations on the system and its components. This study significantly assisted in understanding the problems associated with the current design prototype and provided the necessary resources and guidelines for the future generations of this technology.

The work in this thesis was concerned with the safety evaluation of a fully powered mechanical patient lift for bariatric patients. A working prototype of this system, called RoboNurse, was designed and manufactured at iDAPT technology team at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. There are currently no lifting technologies similar to RoboNurse in the healthcare industry. The methods that are used to evaluate the system included: 1) Series of mechanical tests to evaluate the static strength and stability of the design 2) Computer simulations to evaluate the dynamic stability of the system and 3) Failure mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) as risk analysis tools. These techniques helped to perform thorough and systematic evaluations on the system and its components. This study significantly assisted in understanding the problems associated with the current design prototype and provided the necessary resources and guidelines for the future generations of this technology.

The literature cites several recurrent barriers that contribute to the under-utilization of patient lifting devices (PLDs) by caregivers (CGs), resulting in the profession being at high-risk for musculoskeletal injury. There is considerable evidence that training is a barrier to PLD use, due to the staff shortages and time constraints that result when CGs attend (provincially mandated) off-site hands-on practical training. Therefore, the current research program aims to contribute towards a better understanding of the barriers to the chronic concern of low PLD use by CGs, and, to evaluate an alternative approach that could be used to reduce the time CGs spend off the floor and enhance musculoskeletal health and well-being. Study 1 will conduct focus groups and administer a Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB)-based questionnaire to better understand the barriers between (a) CGs’ knowledge (training/education) and intent to use PLDs, and (b) CGs’ intent to use PLDs and actual PLD use (i.e., behaviour). Also, patients and their family members will be interviewed to better understand the role of the patient as a potential barrier to PLD use. Study 2 will conduct focus groups with: (i) hospital staff who design, develop and deliver PLD training programs, (ii) unit managers, and (iii) new CG hires. Via questionnaire, Preceptors will evaluate the impact of the barrier subcategories identified on the perceived overall effectiveness of a PLD training program. Study 3 will explore the feasibility of implementing vicarious learning through observation (two intervention groups) as an effective alternative to off-site hands-on learning (control group) for new CG hires, with Preceptors evaluating the three groups’ effectiveness via a questionnaire. It is hypothesized that (a) training is an important barrier to the under-utilization of PLDs by CGs (Study 1), (b) there is a need for an effective alternative to off-site hands-on learning that does not remove CGs from units (Study 2), and (c) vicarious learning through observation is as effective as hands-on learning for the utilization of PLDs by new CG hires. / Thesis / Master of Science in Kinesiology

The topic of this thesis is the Design of an active patient lift. This project brings new ideas into the patient lift design problematice while using plastic molds. Overall plastic cover is the solution for agresive looks of current products. From the technical point of view this project combines current technologies into the new, so far nonexisting, solution. Thesis brings new views on lifts controls and movement while considering ergonomic and technological parameters.