When it comes to rehabilitation for spinal cord injury and brain injury, few names carry as much weight as the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA. Consistently ranked as one of the top rehabilitation hospitals in the nation, Shepherd Center is more than a hospital; it is a place where hope is restored and lives are rebuilt.

With their innovative approach to healing and restoration, including automated boosting, they are setting new standards in rehabilitation.

At The Morel Company, we are incredibly proud to partner with such a forward-thinking institution. Their recent success with the Hercules Patient Repositioner is not just a win for technology, it is a win for patient dignity and caregiver safety.

A Beacon of Hope in Atlanta

The Shepherd Center has always been at the forefront of healthcare innovation. Their mission is to help people with a temporary or permanent disability caused by injury or disease rebuild their lives with independence and dignity.

However, even the best facilities face the physical challenges inherent in bedside care. For patients with spinal cord injuries, frequent repositioning is a medical necessity to prevent pressure injuries and aid breathing. Traditionally, this required a team of caregivers to physically lift and drag a patient up in bed, a process that can be uncomfortable for the patient and dangerous for the staff.

By adopting automated boosting with Hercules, Shepherd Center has once again proven that they are willing to invest in the best solutions for their community.

Automated Boosting vs Manual Boosting: The Efficiency Gap

The difference between automated boosting vs manual boosting is stark, especially in a high-acuity rehabilitation setting.

Before Hercules, boosting a spinal cord injury patient manually often required two to four caregivers. It was a coordinated physical effort that could take up to 20 minutes to organize and execute safely. It was an interruption to care, a strain on resources, and a moment of vulnerability for the patient.

With Hercules, that same boost takes less than 10 seconds.

A single nurse can now reposition a patient weighing up to 750 pounds with the simple push of a button. This efficiency doesn’t just save time; it fundamentally changes the rhythm of the day. Caregivers can focus on rehabilitation and therapy rather than gathering a team for a physical lift. As Dr. Anna Choo Elmers at Shepherd Center noted, the benefits were immediate and solely attributable to this product.

Zero Harm: Tackling Nurse Injury Head-On

We cannot talk about the future of nurses without talking about their safety. Nurse injury rates in rehabilitation settings can be staggeringly high due to the physical demands of moving patients who often have limited mobility.

The impact of Hercules at Shepherd Center has been profound. Since implementing the system, the facility has seen a dramatic reduction in boosting-related injuries. By removing the physical burden of the “heavy lift,” Shepherd Center is protecting the backs of their staff, helping to reduce burnout, and ensuring that their talented team can continue doing what they do best for years to come.

When nurses feel safe and supported, patient care improves. It is a simple equation with powerful results.

Restoring Dignity to Spinal Cord Injury Care

Perhaps the most touching aspect of this partnership is the impact on the patients themselves.

Imagine having a new spinal cord injury. You are adjusting to a life-changing reality, and you are dependent on others for basic movements. In a manual boost, patients often report feeling embarrassed or helpless as a team of people struggles to move them. It can feel undignified.

Automated boosting restores a sense of normalcy. The movement is smooth, gentle, and controlled. Patients have reported feeling safer and more comfortable.

It transforms a moment of dependence into a seamless part of recovery. This alignment with dignity is exactly why Shepherd Center is a leader in the field: they understand that emotional well-being is just as critical as physical recovery.

A Partnership for the Future

We are honored that the Shepherd Center Atlanta, GA has chosen Hercules to be a part of their standard of care. Their commitment to innovation serves as a model for facilities across the country.

By prioritizing technology that protects staff and comforts patients, they are setting a new standard for what is possible in rehabilitation.

Learn more about the incredible work being done at the Shepherd Center by visiting https://shepherd.org/.

To see how Hercules is changing lives, visit www.morelcompany.com.