The ELK is an emergency safe patient lifting cushion that has been designed to provide a dignified lift for anyone in a medical setting that may have fallen. It is a recognised lifting aid used across NHS facilities in the UK and is considered a unique manual handling aid for all professionals in a medical setting.

Benefits of the Elk

The ELK safe patient manual handling equipment is designed with the healthcare professional in mind, protecting them from the risk of back injury when lifting. The ELK is for single handed care and the fallen person can be quickly and safely lifted from the floor - all at the touch of a button.

It is the ideal lifting solution for anyone who has fallen in a confined space, such as a hospital bathroom. The fallen – and possibly injured – person can shuffle on to the ELK cushion and then assisted to sit upright by a healthcare professional. Once inflated the cushion allows the person to settle into a comfortable raised seated position and has them ready to stand in minutes.

Who can use it?

The ELK lifting cushion is ideal for medical professional providing a key aid in aid for lifting in a pressurised environment, and particularly where people have fallen in confined spaces such as bathrooms or hallways. It is suitable for injured and non-injured individuals, including:

• Patients with neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke, Alzheimer’s and dementia and Huntington's disease.
• Individuals with physical disabilities such as limited mobility or amputees.
• The elderly – 30% of adults over 65 will fall at least once a year.  This rises to 50% in the over 80s.
• Plus Size or bariatric patients who face daily mobility challenges and will often find it difficult to get back on their feet when they fall – even though they are uninjured.

Special features

The ELK is particularly compact and lightweight (weighing only 3.6 kgs/8 lbs).

• One size fits all - The ELK can lift the most fragile person up to plus size individuals weighing 450kg (70 stone).
• Its unique design means it can be used inside or outside and is particularly effective in small confined spaces such as the bedroom, bathroom or hallway where alternative lifting devices may not be suitable.
• Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
• The ELK is inflated using a battery operated Airflow compressor.