Guideline for Identifying Deteriorated Slings
Accelerated Deterioration from Bleach, High Temperature Wash or Drying
Slings, especially loop straps that have been damaged from being laundered in
unsuitable conditions (bleach, high heat wash or dry) may appear to be in good
condition but the actual tensile strength of the material may be compromised and pose
a safety risk and should not be used for lifting a patient or resident. This Guide is
intended to help staff and caregivers better identify slings that have been exposed to
above laundry conditions and subsequent loss of tensile strength. We encourage any
sling identified with these following characteristics to be removed from service
immediately as a preventive measure. Replacement slings can be obtained from
Bestcare free of charge.
Bestcare slings have been designed and tested for laundry wash conditions of 120F
degrees and air dry or dry at low temperature. The slings should never be bleached.
Commercial washer and dryers are not recommended. Care instructions on the sling
label should always be followed. Laundry equipment should be properly maintained
and repaired when necessary.
Completely Faded / Missing / Illegible Tag while the main body of the sling fabric is
still intact and in relatively good condition. Colors are not faded or show very little
fading
This is a good indicator that the sling may have been washed with bleach at
high temperature.
The label is made from material that is less resilient to chemical attack and will usually
deteriorate long before the loop straps, bindings, or main body fabric.
Figure 3 shows a sling that has deteriorated from normal use and care. Note
Figure 3
Extreme Loop Strap Curling
Permanent Creasing of Loop Strap
the label is intact and faded but still legible and consistent with overall
condition of the sling.
Extreme Curling / Permanent Wrinkles of loop straps can set in when the
slings are dried at high heat or dried over an extended period of time. Heat
combined with bleach or other chemicals will intensify the chemical action.
In addition to the loop straps, the back strap and sling handles if present will
Handel with Permanent Crease
Back strap with Permanent Crease
Loop Strap with Excessive Edge Abrasion
Stiffened and Brittle Lo op Strap
also show the permanent creases. Permanent creases will tend towards its
original wrinkled position even when stretched out.
Strap Brittleness / Stiffness / Surface and Edge Abrasion are additional
indicators that the sling may have been laundered in unsuitable conditions and
has loss tensile strength. Loop straps that have stiffened or become brittle will
tend remain in the state, position, or shape it is bent into instead of returning
into a normal relaxed state.
Permanent crease, wrinkles along with brittleness increase chance that the fabric will
suffer more damage from abrasion, internal fiber abrasion as well as external abrasion
with other objects. Wash cycles with excessive agitation will increase abrasion and
degradation of the fabric.
Decomposition of Edge Binding and other components of the sling are clear
Edge Binding Decomposition
Back/Handle Strap Decomposition
Surface Abrasion at Creases
Color Loss and Chalky Appearance
indicators of degradation from chemical treatment. Color loss and a chalky
appearance is common. Stitching (comprised of a different material) may still
be intact.
Surface Abrasion / Color Loss especially at creases or areas frequent use.
Stiffened or brittle fabric will usually wear excessively around the creases and
areas that come into frequent contact with other object. The surface and edge
abrasion is a result of this and will usually be accompanied by loss of color with
a chalky appearance
Figure 12 shows an example of a loop strap with wear from normal use. Note
Figure 12 Loop Strap with Normal Wear
the absence of permanent crease and surface abrasion
Causes of Deterioration Due to Laundry Conditions:
1. Chemical degradation (bleach, peroxide, chlorine and other disinfectants). This
can occur if bleach was used in high amounts or high concentration bleach was
used during the wash cycle. Washing at higher temperatures will make the fabric
more susceptible to attack by the chemical. Insufficient flush, rinse, or
neutralizing of the chemicals from fabric followed by subsequent drying at high
temperature will again intensify chemical action and increase the degree of
deterioration to the sling fabric.
2. Temperature or high heat damage. This can occur if the slings are left in the
dryer for too long or dried at excessive heat. The Slings are made from plastic
fibers and do not absorb as much water and require less drying time then other
laundry of natural fiber and fabric.
3. Mechanical/Wash Action can contribute to the accelerated deterioration of the
slings, especially if they have been subjected to the above conditions. Slings
should be washed using a gentle cycle to minimize excessive agitation and
internal fiber abrasion
Loading...