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For immediate release                       Contact: Melissa Nowitz 508-553-3993

Free White Paper: Hospital Tests Patient Lift Technologies; Improves Quality of Care

Franklin, Mass. – August 6, 2008 – A new, free white paper details how a Michigan hospital improved patient care - and reduced manual lifting injuries – by testing new products and designs utilizing a mock-up patient room in an effort to implement forward-looking patient handling technologies.

The white paper, titled “Michigan Hospital Leads the Way with Patient-Focused Environments and Leading-Edge Patient Lifting Technologies,” is available for free download at: www.safeliftingportal.com/hospital-patient-lifting.

The white paper details how the advanced planning, product research and equipment testing at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) in Ann Arbor, Michigan have resulted in a facility-wide success story and increased patient quality of care by decreasing lifting injuries through out the hospital.

“What really aided in the success of this project is the complete mock-up patient room that was built on-site to run tests and functional simulations,” said Tom Tocco, director of facilities and plant operations at SJMH. “That enabled us to select the best systems and products for our patients. Now, we have taken the tried-and-true mock-up room and re-created it 356 times in the new tower.”

The new state-of-the-art tower includes facility-wide wireless internet access and inter-hospital overhead rail systems which has greatly decreased patient lifting injuries and significantly reduced worker’s compensation claims. – Do we have proof?

Download the white paper at: www.safeliftingportal.com/hospital-patient-lifting or call toll-free 1 888-545-6671 to request a copy. The paper is authored by Liko North America (www.liko.com/na), sponsor of the Safe Lifting Portal injury prevention site (www.safeliftingportal.com).

About Liko North America
Liko North America is one of the world’s leading suppliers of patient lifts, including mobile, overhead rail, sit-to-stand, and bariatric lifts, as well as a selection of more than 250 slings and accessories.  The company is also the exclusive sponsor of the pro bono “Safe Lifting Environment” campaign designed to help prevent caregiver injuries (visit www.safeliftingportal.com for more details).  For more information on Liko’s complete line of patient lifts, contact Liko North America, 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038.  Telephone (888) 545-6671 or (508) 553-3993; fax (508) 528-6642, or visit the Liko website at www.liko.com.

About Saint Joseph Mercy Health System

Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, a member of Trinity Health, is a health care organization serving Washtenaw, Livingston, Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe, western Wayne and southwestern Oakland counties. It includes 537-bed St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Saint St. Joseph Mercy Saline Hospital with 74 beds, Saint St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital in Howell, featuring with136 beds and St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia with 304 beds. Combined, the four hospitals are licensed for 1,051 beds, employ more than 8,400 individuals and have a medical staff of nearly 1,500 physicians.