Safety and risk management

Healthcare workers experience one of the highest rates for occupational injury reports. Most of the reported injuries were Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). This course will go through how the Safe Patient Handling program can reduce the risk of occupational injuries while improving the quality of patient care.

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.


Overview and Benefits of Safe Patient Handling

Muscles
Nerves
Tendons
Joints
Cartilage
Spinal discs


Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are injuries or disorders of the...


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


Here are some high-risk patient handling tasks:


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


Identifying Health Hazards

Lifting, Transferring, and Repositioning


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.


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.


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Introduction to Safe Patient Handling

Introduction to Safe Patient Handling Lessons

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