Safe Patient Handling

By: Katie Lewandowski & Jane SchunnSafe Patient HandlingObjectivesThis presentation will take a look into safe patient handling and after viewing it the audience will be able to do the following:Give 2 statistics regarding healthcare injuries.Give 2 example of how to safely handle patients.Give 3 facts about safe patient handling.

IntroductionInjuries and musculoskeletal disorders are common in nurses and are often caused by manually lifting and moving patients. The single greatest risk factor for overexertion injuries in healthcare workers is the manual lifting, moving and repositioning of patients (CDC, 2014).Rates of musculoskeletal injuries from overexertion in healthcare occupations are among the highest of all U.S. industries (CDC, 2014).

Statistics Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that in 2011, the rate of overexertion injuries averaged across all industries was 38 per 10,000 full time workers (CDC, 2104).By comparison, the overexertion injury rate for hospital workers was twice the average (76 per 10,000) (CDC, 2014).On average, U.S. hospitals recorded 6.8 work-related injuries and illnesses for every 100 full-time employees in 2011, compared with 3.5 per 100 full-time employees for all U.S. industries combined (OSHA, 2014).Myths & Realities from The American Nurses AssociationMythRealityProper bodymechanics (includingthe use of gait belts)prevent patienthandling injuries.Decades of research shows thatproper body mechanics are notan effective way to reduce injuries.There is no such thing as safe manuallifting.Healthcare workerswho are physicallyfit are less likely tobe injured.Research does not support this.Good health and strength mayactually put healthcare workers atincreased risk because their peersare much more likely to seek theirassistance when manually liftinghealthcare recipients.Manual lifting issafer and more comfortablefor healthcarerecipients.It is the role of the healthcare workersto teach and explain that the use ofthe technology is safer and more convenientfor both healthcare recipientsand healthcare workers.Root Cause AnalysisProblems associated with Safe Patient Handling:Not enough educationNurse work loadsShort staffedSave timePatient obesity

High Risk Patient Handling TasksPatient handling tasks that have been high risk of musculoskeletal injury for staff performing the task are the following:Transferring a patientLifting a patientRepositioningBathing patients in bedMaking an occupied bedDressing patientsTurning a patientAny tasks with a long duration

Patient AssessmentAssessing the patient prior to movement is critical in having a safe outcome. The items that should be assessed are: Patients level of assistance?Can the patient bear weight?Does the patient have upper extremity strength?Patients level of cooperation?Patients weight and height?Has the patient had surgery?Are there any pressure ulcers; paralysis; fractures; IVs; or anything unusual that may hinder the move?Inferences and Implications and ConsequencesAnalysis of the risk to patients and staff posed by patient handling and movement shall be done prior to initiating the task.Avoid hazardous patient handling and movement tasks whenever possible. Use mechanical lifting devices and other approved patient handling aids for high-risk patient handling and movement tasks except when absolutely necessary, such as in a medical emergency.Use mechanical lifting devices and other approved patient handling aids in accordance with instructions and training.Safe Patient Handling SolutionsAccording to the Department of Health and Human Services, there are four primary principles that should be used for manual patient/resident handling in conjunction with SPH techniques when handling and moving patients/residents, which include: 1)Maintain a wide, stable base with feet. 2) Put the bed at the correct height.3) Try to keep the work directly in front to avoid rotating the spine.4) Keep patient as close to your body as possible.

Safe Patient Handling SolutionsAlways use the correct piece of equipment for the need at hand. Mechanical patient lifting equipment is used to lift, transfer, reposition and move patients. Examples include:portable base sling liftsstand assist liftsmechanized lateral transfer aids. Patient handling aids are used to assist in the lift or transfer process. Example include gait belts, stand assist aids, sliding boards, and surface friction-reducing devices.

Safe Patient Handling SolutionsPatient handling aids are used to assist in the lift or transfer process. Example include:Gait beltsStand assist aidsSliding boardsSurface friction-reducing devicesFollowing a safe patient handling program will save many a nurse from a musculoskeletal disorder. Safe manual handling techniques must be used in combination with proper body mechanics, equipment, technology for safe patient handling and movement.

The American Nurses Association(ANA) Position on Safe Patient HandlingThe ANA supports actions and policies that result in the elimination of manual patient handling. Patient handling, such as lifting, repositioning and transferring has conventionally been performed by nurses.The performance of these tasks exposes nurses to increased risk for work related Myelodysplastic Syndromes. A Safe Patient Handling (SPH) Program decreased injury to healthcare workers and patients, while improving the safety of patient care delivery.ConclusionEvidence-based research has shown that safe patient handling interventions can significantly reduce overexertion injuries by replacing manual patient handling with safer methods guided by the principles of ergonomics (CDC, 2014).In the case of patient handling, ergonomics involves the use of mechanical equipment and safety procedures to lift and move patients so that health care workers can avoid using manual exertions and thereby reduce their risk of injury (CDC, 2014).Remember safety first for you and your patient.

ReferencesAmerican Nurses Association (ANA). Retrieved September 09, 2014, fromhttp://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/WorkplaceSafety/Healthy-Work-Environment/SafePatient/SPHM-Trifold-Brochure.pdfCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC - Safe Patient Handling - NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic. Retrieved September 07, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/safepatient/Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Safe Patient Handling - Worker Safety in Hospitals. Retrieved September 07, 2014, from http://www.osha.gov/dsg/hospitals/patient_handling.html