Coshocton County EMA participates in lift study with OSU, receives new equipment

Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune
·2 min read

COSHOCTON − Lifting of patients is one of the most awkward and difficult tasks performed by Coshocton County Emergency Medical Services, but participation in a recent lift study and donation of equipment has made it easier.

Director Todd Shroyer said overweight patients and those who fall in odd places, like between the toilet and bathtub, can pose harm to themselves and paramedics. This can be getting patients into a sitting position, on their feet or transported to a stretcher.

Steve Lavender of Ohio State University and Kayla Chapman of Coshocton County Emergency Medical Services demonstrate use of lift assistance equipment on OSU graduate student Anas Kachlan related to a study and equipment donation on how to better lift patients.
Steve Lavender of Ohio State University and Kayla Chapman of Coshocton County Emergency Medical Services demonstrate use of lift assistance equipment on OSU graduate student Anas Kachlan related to a study and equipment donation on how to better lift patients.

The agency recently wrapped a study with Steve Lavender, a professor of integrated systems engineering at Ohio State University. It revolved around testing out lift equipment for efficiency, speed and leading to better patient outcomes while reducing risk of injury to patients and first responders.

Equipment included a Managar Elk lift cushion and a lift kit with prototype straps and harnesses. Four sets of the equipment have been donated to EMS, estimated at approximately $4,000.

While the lift kit items are not being mass produced yet, it's Lavender's hope results of the study will encourage a medical supply company to do so. He would also like use of the equipment become commonplace worldwide.

"What I really want to see is this stuff gets in the hand of people who can really use it," Lavender said. "We'd love to see this go much broader (than Ohio)."

The equipment has been tested with urban, suburban and rural EMS providers and fire companies. Coshocton and Delaware counties were the rural testers with urban and suburban outfits being in and around Columbus.

Lavender said while the equipment worked in all environments, it was found to have a larger impact in rural environments where you often have fewer paramedics and EMTs responding to calls.

"We're really seeing value for organizations like (Coshocton County) where there's a smaller number of folks on the scene," Lavender said.

Shroyer said they usually have two-man crews and it has decreased the risk of injury and the need to call fire departments for help.

"We have several 400 to 500 pound patients we lift on a regular basis and having the equipment has been a lifesaver," Shroyer said. "Not only is it help us, but it's been a huge help to the community."

Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @llhayhurst.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Coshocton County EMS participates in OSU lift study