
		January 2010

Dear Subscriber,

Welcome to the first 2010 Issue of Safe Lifting News. Our mission is to keep you and your associates informed about what's happening in the world of safe patient lifting and caregiver injury prevention. Are you aware of facilities interested in starting a safe patient handling program? Please pass along our newsletter or portal address, thanks. You'll be helping others get started on this important journey toward prevention of caregiver injuries! And, check out our new product-of-the-month button, lower right.

Sincerely,

Melissa Nowitz
Editor in Chief
888-545-6671
Melissa.nowitz@hill-rom.com

Take our January Poll

Patient Outcomes

Would nurses use assistive lifting devices in even more cases if they knew they could increase patient safety and improve patient outcomes?

Would even more healthcare managers support safe patient handling programs if the emphasis were on improving patient outcomes instead of preventing nursing injuries?

Would even more patients be receptive to using assistive lifting devices if they knew they could increase their safety and enhance their outcomes?

Introducing our new "Rehab" section — for PTs and OTs

Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other rehabilitation practitioners are just as susceptible to musculoskeletal injuries as RNs and other personnel who handle patients. In numerous studies (see link below for citations), tasks performed by rehab personnel such as transferring patients, lifting patients, and responding to unanticipated or sudden movements by patients were cited as the possible cause of injury. However, regardless of the statistics, even today therapists continue to injure themselves while working in awkward postures, bending and twisting, and performing manipulation or other mobilization procedures on heavy or dependent patients. This new section will help you become aware of the risks involved in patient handling. We'll also outline steps to avoid self-injury — because safe patient handling is fundamental to a long, productive, and pain-free career. Click here.

From the Reading Room

Safe lift strategy — technology and foresight lower injury risk for caregivers, clients

A physical therapist at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital's Boston Outpatient Center ranks back injuries as the most dominant injury among transport activities. This article cites a number of devices, including different types of patient lifts — manual, electric, or barrier-free — which can be used to make it easier for PTs to perform transfers. Included are tasks such as bathing, toileting, or moving an individual in and out of a bed or vehicle, all of which can present substantial risk to caregivers and clients. In her estimation, bathroom transfers are the most difficult maneuvers to perform...Click here.

Implementing ceiling lifts on a spinal cord unit

This article from Rehabilitation NURSING chronicles integration into nursing practice of ceiling lift technology for patient handling tasks on a spinal cord injury inpatient unit. Ceiling-mounted lifts, as with any new type of equipment, must be accepted and embraced by nurses in order to become part of day-to-day practice. Click here to read the article.

Nurses should take an interest in workplace design

This brief article describes how the Institute for Healthcare Design is challenging nurses to learn about what other nurses are doing to influence hospital design, to research design trends, and to speak up, using their experience and problem-solving skills to improve their work surroundings.

Essentials of a bariatric patient handling program

Here's a real-world quotation to keep in mind when handling obese patients: "The more mobility-dependent the patient is, the greater the risk of injury for those providing the care." The quote appears in the article linked below, and provides useful definitions and specific health concerns relating to bariatric patients. It also explains the components of a bariatric safe patient handling program, concluding with a discussion of current issues related to the care of bariatric patients. Click here.

It's broke, so let's fix it

This useful PowerPoint presentation authored by SUNY personnel cites statistics, causes of back injuries, risk factors, and the relationship of the NIOSH lifting equation. Review the presentation here.

Stanford Hospital strengthens patient safety with machine-powered lifters

Next April, Stanford Hospital will be recognized by the Veteran's Administration as the recipient of the 2010 Best Practice Award for Safe Patient Handling. Stanford's story was presented at the recent West Coast Safe Patient Handling show, and included an explanation of why Stanford invested $3 million in technology to better care for patients — and nurses. The program is expected to eventually pay for itself through savings in workers' compensation claims and associated costs. Click here to read more.

Bariatric ambulation on YouTube...

This brief video clip found on YouTube replays a news report about a bariatric patient at York Hospital, York, PA. The patient is seen walking with the combined assistance of a walker and a mobile lift. To view the 2-minute video, click here. To request more information on the Viking XL, click here.

Safe lateral transfers for post-op hip patients

Can a hover mat type lateral transfer system be used on post-op hip fracture patients?

Karen Yaeck
MDIH

Are lateral transfers using draw sheets still acceptable?

Is horizontal moving manually still an accepted practice? Is the use of a draw sheet for horizontal moving acceptable?

Mary Kowalczyk
Carroll Hospital Center

What is meant by "spinal precautions"?

What are spinal precautions?

Amanda Christiansen
Cold Lake Hospital

*The Lift Doctor is actually a panel of clinical and bioengineering lift specialists at Liko