Results of Last Month’s Reader Poll:

What is your single most important consideration when faced with the need to lift or reposition a patient?

Results:

• Follow existing policies & procedures (7%)
• Speed of response – get the job done (10%)
• My patient's safety (50%)
• My personal safety (30%)
• Seek help from colleagues (3%)

Sample Comments:

• I’ve seen too many people get hurt in this job not to think about my own safety first. If I get hurt, I can’t help my resident anyway!
• If I’m not safe then I can’t help the patient!
• Patient Safety is the goal in all we do. The reality is that in line with helping the patient, staff often is torn between getting the job done quickly and not wanting to get hurt.
• It is not just the safety of the patient, though, that needs to be considered. So it is hard just to choose one option. The safety of all involved, patient and staff is equal in my opinion.
• Patient Safety is number one consideration. I still need to be conscious of my own safety and I would do that by following policy, using lifting equipment or getting help as appropriate. Speed is the only answer that should not play a part in my decision.
• My patient’s safety and my personal safety are equally important
• Speed of response since many lifting issues are related to catching failing patients. Also, the repercussions from moving too slowly to transfer a patient can mean that the patient misses a needed test or procedure.
• The answer that most describes the decision process is an integration of all five, with pt safety being paramount.

UMass Memorial Hospital receives Viking lift as prize

Last year’s newsletter quiz on Safe Lifting Practices was won by Margo Mello of UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA.    Margo correctly answered 10 questions and subsequently her name was drawn from among other qualifiers.   The hospital chose a Viking M mobile floor lift.  Shown transferring ownership of the lift are: Jim Keating of Beacon Medical, John Kruse of Liko, and from UMass: Deb Cox, Margo Mello, Andrew Sussman (COO), and Alice Shakman, VP of Operations.

AAOHN Survey

Training Increases Lift Usage – Lift Usage Reduces Injuries
A survey conducted by the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses found that nurses who have participated in training sessions on safe patient handling techniques are more likely to use equipment, such as lifts and slides, after the training than before.

New “Toolkit” section added to Safe Lifting Portal

Dozens of Safe Lifting Program tools and guidelines have been created by our readers and contributors over the past several years.  We've consolidated them into a single, easy-to-access section entitled "Toolkit."  Review the contents of this useful new addition to safeliftingportal.com.

Sensitivity Training – RN dresses for obesity

Want to save money? Read how lift teams are preventing staff/patient injuries

This brief article on OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, documents how lift injuries have decreased substantially and staff satisfaction has soared after the creation of a new lift team department that provides patient transfer and mobility assistance. The program is so successful that they are reinvesting $400,000 in savings back into their safe patient handling program and lift team department.  Read this article from Nursing Homes Magazine.