Introduction to Safe Patient Handling

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Overview and Benefits of Safe Patient Handling

Disclaimer The following guidance is designed to give a brief overview of the training for Safe Patient Handling:

The scenarios mentioned earlier are examples of safety and health hazards prevalent in the workplace of nurses and other healthcare workers.

Healthcare workers, among other industries, experience some of the highest occupational injuries and illnesses.

Around 50% of the reported injuries and illnesses of nurses and nursing staff were musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

Safe patient handling programs improve the quality of patient care while reducing risks for healthcare workers and patients. **In addition to this, here are other benefits: ** More satisfying work environment and professional status Improved nursing recruitment and retention Increased patient satisfaction and comfort Decreased patient falls and pressure ulcers Reduced costs associated with injuries

Before we continue, let's establish our baseline.

Identifying Health Hazards

Disclaimer The following guidance is designed to give a brief overview of the training for Safe Patient Handling:

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are injuries or disorders of the... Muscles Nerves Tendons Joints Cartilage Spinal discs

Here are some high-risk patient handling tasks: transferring from toilet to chair, transferring from chair to bed, transferring from bathtub to chair repositioning from side to side in bed lifting a patient in bed repositioning a patient in chair making a bed with a patient in it

Several healthcare workers who experience pain and fatigue may feel...

less productive...

less attentive...

more susceptible to further injury...

Lifting, Transferring, and Repositioning

Disclaimer The following guidance is designed to give a brief overview of the training for Safe Patient Handling:

Walker Transfer This is used when the patient can handle their weight on at least one leg, with enough strength and ability on the upper extremity.

Sit-Stand Mechanical Lift (SARA Lift) This is done when the patient can sit on the edge of the bed with minimal support and can handle some weight.

Total Mechanical Lift This is done when the patient is unable to handle their weight or can only handle minimal transfer.

Transfer Belt This is used when the patient needs assistance when being transferred or when moving.

Slide board/Transfer board This is used when a patient is being transferred between surfaces with equal heights.

Slide Sheets This is commonly used for repositioning patients who are unable to move on their own. This requires two workers.

Safety considerations: Clinical judgment and patient-specific needs determined by the healthcare team override the assessment process. If the task requires two or more people, always seek help. Assess the patient's mobility tolerance. Pain, shortness of breath, or inability to follow instructions will put you and the patient at risk. When positioning a patient, make sure to avoid lifting the shoulders. Use a weight shift when lifting a patient. Update the plan of care regularly.