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Dear Subscriber,
Welcome to the latest Issue of Safe Lifting News. Our mission is to keep you informed about what's happening in the world of safe patient lifting and caregiver injury prevention. We hope you have a question for our "Lift Doctor," and if you feel others in your organization might benefit from receiving Safe Lifting News on a monthly basis, please forward this copy so that they can sign up!
Please note that I am the new editor and look forward to supporting your Safe Patient Handling efforts.
Sincerely,
Katie Osborne, Editor
812.934.8702
Katie.Osborne@Hill-Rom.com
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From the Reading Room
Challenges in caring for the morbidly obese: differences by practice setting
The Bariatric Nursing Consortium, a nursing research group comprised of hospital nurses and faculty members, has conducted several studies building upon challenges identified by nurses who care for morbidly obese clients. A focus group study with nurses was the first study to identify challenges that nurses face in caring for the obese in a variety of acute care settings. The purpose of this study was to determine what nurses practicing across a variety of patient-care settings viewed as the challenges in caring for the morbidly obese patient. Read more here. |
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Rethinking Lift Teams
Despite administrative efforts at acquiring specialty patient handling equipment, caregivers continue to report injuries related to lifting, turning, and repositioning patients. This is especially true when caring for patients of size. As legislative mandates are driving changes in safety and outcomes, healthcare organizations are seeking creative methods to meet such mandates. Lift teams may serve as such a strategy. This article reviews the definition of a lift team, its history, and benefits to both healthcare workers and patients. As well, it provides a
perspective from a lift team contract service. Click here to read the entire article or to view the associated poster presentation. |
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International Reading
Vancouver Island Protocol -- No Manual Lifting of Patients
As part of the Vancouver Island Health Authority's commitment to workplace health and safety, a No Manual Lifting of Patients Protocol has been developed for direct care providers (i.e. Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Care Aides and Community Health Workers) who perform manual patient lifts. The protocol outlines the roles that managers, supervisors and employees play in the prevention of musculoskeletal injuries that result during patient handling. As well, it provides direction meant to minimize the risk of injury to patient care providers and patients during manually assisted transfers. View the protocol here. |
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Manual handling risks associated with the transportation of bariatric patients in Australia
There's a growing body of evidence in Australia to suggest that comprehensive programs using mechanical equipment, and having a written safe patient handling policy, can significantly reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries when transporting bariatric patients. However, patient dignity is a major issue and the attention of neighbors and even media can influence the strategies that are used in patient movement. It was reported that consideration for patient dignity as well as clinical needs will frequently over-ride consideration of the crew's safety. Read this article here. |
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A GUIDE TO DESIGNING WORKPLACES FOR SAFER HANDLING OF PEOPLE
In Victoria, Australia, the Occupational Health & Safety Act imposes a number of duties on those able to influence health and safety. This includes employers, those who have control of the workplace (i.e. an owner, a director or manager), designers, manufacturers and employees (including contractors). However, responsibility for providing a safe workplace rests ultimately with employers, as they exercise control over the workplace. Under the OHS Act and associated regulations, employers are expected to eliminate risks to health and safety at the source. If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the risks at the source, employers must do everything reasonably practicable to reduce the risks so far as is practicable. Read more here. |
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Limitations on using other manufacturers' slings |
| Are there any manufacturers' limitations regarding brands of slings that can be used on Liko® hoists? |
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Sheree Lowe
Blue Care, Australia |
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Force required to perform a lateral transfer |
| Does anyone know how to measure the force required to perform a lateral patient transfer? |
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Sandra Truschel
Excela Health |
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Friction and shear forces when applying a sling |
| I would be grateful if you could advise how to reduce friction or shear forces when applying a sling. One of my clients has a pressure area just below the buttock. Staff are concerned that the friction and shear forces when applying a sling may be a contributing factor to this pressure area. I am aware that sliding sheets can be used to apply a sling. Can you advise how a sling can be applied with a sliding sheet? Many Thanks, |
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Orla Deighan
Health Service Executive, HSE, Ireland |
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Ratio of lifts per patient population |
| How many lifts do you recommend per patient population in a hospital setting? |
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| Janice Hardin |
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Lifting standards for ambulance stretchers |
| What is the standard for lifting patients on ambulance stretchers? |
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Stan Bensley
BCOPFF |
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*The Lift Doctor is actually a panel of clinical and bioengineering lift specialists at Liko |
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This Web newsletter is sponsored by Liko, a Hill-Rom company, and is provided as a service to subscribers. Articles and information available from third parties through links to this Web newsletter are provided "as is." Liko is not responsible for the content of linked articles or news items resident on Websites owned or maintained by third parties, nor for content openly accessible via internet search engines, and makes no warranty, express or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, or the clinical or financial utility of such information. Users should check the terms and conditions of use of each third party Website accessed via links provided by Liko. |
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© 2011 Liko. All Rights Reserved
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