What Is a Hoyer Lift?

A Hoyer lift (also called a patient lift or patient hoist) is an assistive device designed to transfer people with limited mobility from one surface to another such as from a bed to a chair without physically lifting them. Modern lifts use a sling or supportive seat attached to a stable frame and are powered either electrically or hydraulically. By mechanically raising and lowering a patient, a lift reduces strain on caregivers and minimizes the risk of falls during transfers. Hoyer lifts are common in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes and home care settings across the United States.

At Angelus Medical, we understand that a safe patient transfer system is more than just a piece of equipment it’s a crucial part of delivering dignified care and protecting staff. In this guide we explain the origins of Hoyer lifts, explore the different types available, outline the benefits for patients and caregivers, and share tips for choosing the right lift for your facility.

A Brief History of the Hoyer Lift

The first Hoyer lift was developed in the 1950s by engineer Ted Hoyer, whose designs laid the foundation for modern patient lifts. Over the decades, manufacturers such as Joerns Healthcare refined these lifts to improve mobility, comfort and dignity. Genuine Hoyer lifts are known for their craftsmanship and reliability, while lower quality imitations may lack safety features and pose risks. In medical facilities, investing in genuine equipment helps ensure compliance with safety standards and protects patients and staff.

Types of Hoyer Lifts

Sling (Passive) Lifts vs. Sit to Stand Lifts

A sling lift the classic Hoyer lift uses a fabric sling that cradles the patient’s body. The sling attaches to a boom or spreader bar, which is raised and lowered by a hydraulic pump or electric motor. Sling lifts are ideal when patients have little weight bearing ability or need full support. For example, our Medline manual Hoyer lift features a durable frame and a hand operated hydraulic pump that provides reliable support in busy hospital wards.

A sit to stand lift, sometimes called an active lift, assists patients who can bear some weight. These devices use knee pads and a crossbar to support the patient as they stand up. They encourage participation and are ideal for therapy or toileting. Our Sara Stedy sit to stand aid is a compact, non powered option that promotes patient independence and reduces caregiver fatigue.

Manual vs. Power Lifts

Manual lifts use a hand pump to raise and lower the boom. They are cost effective and simple to operate but require some effort from the caregiver. Power lifts use rechargeable batteries and are controlled through a hand pendant or joystick. They reduce caregiver effort and often include additional features such as emergency stop buttons or power down systems. Facilities that need frequent transfers or handle bariatric patients may prefer powered lifts for efficiency.

Benefits for Patients

• Enhanced Mobility and Comfort. By providing stable support and accommodating different body types, a Hoyer lift allows patients to be moved safely and comfortably. The secure sling reduces pressure on sensitive areas and helps maintain dignity during transfers.
  
• Reduced Physical Strain. The lift distributes the patient’s weight across the sling, lowering the risk of skin breakdown and musculoskeletal injury. Properly used lifts can aid rehabilitation by allowing patients to stand or sit upright without fear of falling.
  
• Increased Independence. Sit to stand devices encourage patients to engage their muscles during the transfer, which supports functional mobility and confidence. Hoyer lifts also allow more frequent transfers with less assistance, increasing privacy and independence.
  

Benefits for Caregivers and Facilities

• Reduced Physical Demands. Patient lifts relieve caregivers from bearing the full weight of individuals during transfers. This reduces the risk of back injuries and overexertion, one of the leading causes of staff burnout in healthcare. In facilities with high transfer volumes, powered lifts further decrease the strain on nurses and therapists.
  
• Efficiency and Staffing Benefits. Using a lift often means that fewer staff members are needed to perform a transfer safely. This efficiency helps hospitals and long term care facilities allocate staff to higher value tasks and lowers operational costs. Our patient lifts and mobility systems offers several models designed for fast and easy repositioning.
  
• Improved Patient Safety. Falls and improper transfers can lead to fractures or head injuries, which are costly and debilitating. A well maintained, genuine Hoyer lift includes fail safe mechanisms and ergonomic designs that minimize the risk of tipping or dropping a patient. Investing in quality equipment such as the Sara Plus standing lift refurbished enhances safety and caregiver confidence.
  

Safety and Reliability Considerations

Healthcare administrators should ensure that lifts meet regulatory requirements and undergo routine maintenance. Genuine Hoyer lifts undergo stringent testing and incorporate fail safes and ergonomic features to protect users. When selecting equipment, verify the weight capacity, compatibility with different sling sizes and availability of emergency lowering systems. Improperly maintained or counterfeit devices can compromise safety and result in costly injuries or liability claims. Angelus Medical’s service team provides assisted living equipment that is inspected and refurbished to meet stringent quality standards.

How to Choose the Right Lift for Your Facility?

• Consult Rehabilitation Professionals. Occupational and physical therapists can evaluate patient needs, caregiver abilities and care environments to recommend an appropriate lift. They often perform equipment trials to ensure the sling and lift fit correctly.
  
• Assess the Environment. Consider where the lift will be used patient rooms, bathrooms or therapy spaces. Measure door widths, turning radii and storage areas. Compact lifts like the Barton I 400 convertible stretcher chair and our gurney beds are ideal for tight spaces and emergency departments.
  
• Determine Patient Needs. Evaluate patient weight, height, trunk control and ability to participate in the transfer. Bariatric or tall patients may require a high capacity sling lift; ambulatory patients may benefit from sit to stand devices. Our wheelchairs and walkers and lightweight wheelchair complement lifts by providing versatile mobility options once the transfer is complete.
  
• Select Manual or Powered Operation. Manual lifts are ideal for facilities that perform occasional transfers or operate on a tight budget. Powered lifts increase efficiency and reduce caregiver strain, particularly in high volume settings. For example, pairing a power lift with a Drive semi power hospital bed or our hospital beds and mattresses streamlines transfers and reduces repositioning time.
  
• Plan for Future Growth. As your patient population or service lines expand, ensure that your equipment can scale. Choose versatile patient handling products with lift assist functions so different departments can share resources and adapt to changing needs.
  

Why Partner With Angelus Medical?

Angelus Medical has served hospitals and clinics across the United States for decades, providing high quality new and refurbished medical equipment. Our team carefully selects, refurbishes and services all patient lifts to ensure they meet or exceed manufacturer specifications. Beyond lifts, we stock a full range of equipment for doctors’ clinics and offer educational resources such as our guide on what equipment you need to set up a new medical clinic and a primer on what hospital beds are called.

When you choose Angelus Medical, you’re not just purchasing equipment you’re partnering with a team committed to your facility’s success. We can help assess your patient handling needs, recommend the right lifts and accessories, and provide ongoing service. Contact us to learn more about how our Stryker patient transfer chair and other mobility aids can improve safety, efficiency and patient outcomes.

Conclusion

A Hoyer lift is an essential tool for safe, dignified patient transfers. By understanding the history and types of lifts, recognizing the benefits for patients and caregivers, and carefully selecting equipment, healthcare providers can create a safer environment and reduce operational costs. At Angelus Medical, we offer a complete range of patient lifts, hospital beds, wheelchairs and supportive equipment to meet the needs of busy clinics and hospitals. Investing in quality lifts protects your staff, enhances patient comfort and demonstrates a commitment to excellence in care.