Pediatric PT / OT Clinics
Pediatric therapists have the highest career-length back-injury rate in allied health. And most of them work solo in a treatment room with a child who often has a G-tube, a port, a central line, or a recent surgical site — exactly where a gait belt cinches. The EZ Lift Vest carries load across the upper torso, gives 11 grip points for controlled gait training, and works with the child's existing equipment.
Every solo pediatric session has these moments.
The population that shouldn't wear a gait belt — but often does anyway.
The vest distributes load across the upper torso. No abdominal pressure. No belt cinched over the feeding-tube site. For children with complex medical needs, this is the difference between a safe transfer and a call to the physician.
Therapists need catches without interrupting the therapeutic movement.
The multiple grip points let a therapist stay on the child throughout gait training — hand-over-hand, side-by-side, or behind — with a controlled lower always available if the child fatigues.
Most pediatric sessions don't have a second therapist available.
The vest is engineered for safe single-caregiver transfers. A therapist runs the full session — transfer, treatment, re-transfer — without needing to call for help.
No substitution of the child's wheelchair, walker, or gait trainer.
The vest works with the mobility equipment the child already uses. That matters when the equipment is custom-fit, insurance-authorized, or the child's personal preference.
Parents often need to learn safe transfers for home.
The vest is simple enough for a parent to learn in one session and take home. Pediatric clinics often use the vest as part of caregiver education, extending safe technique into the home environment.
The clinical staffing risk that gets a therapist to leave the field.
Pediatric therapists have among the highest career-length back-injury rates in allied health. The vest's biomechanics protect the therapist as much as the child.
| Consideration | Gait belt | EZ Lift Vest | Hoyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe for kids with G-tubes / ports | No — cinches abdomen | Yes — no abdominal pressure | Yes — sling distributes |
| Supports gait training | Limited — 1 grip | Yes — 11 grips, controlled catch | No — not a gait tool |
| Solo therapist in a treatment room | Often unsafe | Yes | No — 2 staff |
| Family-training friendly | Yes — but limited | Yes — teachable in one session | No — complex |
| Works with child's own equipment | Yes | Yes | Requires sling swap |
| Cost per clinic | Low | Middle | $2,000+ per lift |
Yes. The vest is engineered for safe single-caregiver transfers. A PT or OT can conduct a full 1:1 session including transfers, gait training, and repositioning — without a second staff member.
Yes. The vest distributes load across the upper torso rather than cinching at the waist, so there is no abdominal pressure. This makes it safer than a gait belt for children with feeding tubes, TPN ports, or central lines. Confirm with the child's clinical team before use in any specific case.
Yes. The 11 grip points give a therapist multiple hand positions during gait training — including a controlled lower if the child fatigues mid-session.
Multiple sizes are available, including sizing appropriate for younger pediatric patients. For patients below the standard pediatric size range, contact the manufacturer to discuss fit.
Yes. The vest works with the child's existing wheelchair, walker, stander, gait trainer, and adaptive seating. It does not require the therapist to substitute equipment mid-session.
Peggy or Cathy call to confirm fit, send the information packet within 24 hours, and connect with your therapy team.
Designed by nurses
Peggy and Cathy have partnered with pediatric therapy teams for decades. The vest reflects what they saw — a child with medical complexity, a therapist working alone, a gait belt that was never right for either of them.
Tell us about your clinic or department. Peggy or Cathy will send the information packet within 24 hours and set up a short call with your therapy team.
Prefer to call?
800-792-2970 · info@ezliftvest.com
