Transferring patients in the lift

• If you are transferring a patient in a wheelchair or stretcher call the lift or ask security or any other staff present to call the lift before the patient could reach near the lift.
• In case you find the lift is not in working condition, do not move the patient to the corridor unless and until you are sure that the lift has resumed functioning. Or if the patient can be transferred in the wheelchair (when other lifts are functioning) or by walk facilitate the same. If not speak to the relatives regretting the inconvenience and inform the approximate time that would take to resume the normal functioning.
• When the lift outage is estimated to be more than 5 minutes and if the patient condition requires emergency intervention, inform the doctor and move him/her to the close by room with an emergency facility such as oxygen line, suction, crash cart and continue the treatment.
• While shifting the corpse of the expired patient, make sure the lift is in working condition before moving out of the ward. If not call up maintenance and ask how long it would take to recommence the functioning. If the time estimated is more than 10 minutes, MSW will convince the relatives to move down and assure them that the corpse will be brought to the ground floor by the staff safely.

Emergency protocol for lift outage

• This protocol is to see that the use of elevators on emergency power is appropriately managed to best meet the needs of our patients during lift outage and restore service as soon as possible.
• The Safety Instructions are displayed in the Lift along with the Emergency Contact numbers.
• At the time of a normal power loss event and lifts are on emergency generator power. There may be stopping of lift for a few seconds. Once the power comes back the lift will automatically start again.
• In cases where the lift breaks down in between the Emergency Button is pressed. The Maintenance staff should respond to the trapped passengers and assist with removing them.
• The maintenance staff opens up the lift door with manual control.
• In cases of any disaster, lifts are grounded and are shut down.
• Depending on the time and length of the outage, the Chief Administrative Officer or Administrator may limit or stop visitors from entering the hospital.
• In case of major breakdown estimated time for repair must be mentioned to the concerned staff.