Reader Poll Archive

• May 2011
  
  1. Do you believe the average caregiver (CNA, LPN, RN, etc.) is adequately informed regarding the dangers involved in manually lifting or repositioning patients?
  2. Do you believe the average caregiver is aware of the NIOSH-recommended 35-pound maximum weight limit for use in patient-handling tasks?
  3. If more resources were devoted to informing caregivers about the above, do you believe they would increase their participation in safe patient handling initiatives?
  4. Do you personally agree with the NIOSH-recommended 35-lb. maximum weight limit?
  
  
• March 2011
  If you had to select ONE FACTOR that you believe is MOST CRITICAL to successful implementation of a Safe Patient Handling program, what would it be?
  
  
• January 2011
  
  
  1. Who in your facility is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing lifts?
  2. Are lifts and associated hardware cleaned between patient usages, or periodically?
  3. Are slings and other soft ogoods such as slide sheets laundered internally or externally?
  4. Are caregiver staff familiar with your facility's sanitary procedures and requirements for patient handling equipment?
  
  
• November 2010
  Are you aware of the Dept. of Labor WHD HO7 ruling prohibiting workers under the age of 18 from operating lifts?
  Are you in favor of the ruling?
  
  
• September 2010
  Should there be a formal, national certification offered for caregivers and staff whose job descriptions require performance of patient lifting, repositioning, and transfer tasks?
  
  
• July 2010
  Based on your overall awareness of the safe patient handling field, over the past twelve months do you believe momentum has shifted toward acceptance of safe patient handling programs on the part of:
  1. Direct care nurses and other direct care personnel?
  2. Nursing managers and administrators?
  3. Risk and safety managers?
  4. Executive management?
  5. State and federal regulatory agencies?
  
  
• May 2010
  Do you feel physical therapists and occupational therapists are in better physical condition than nurses and other caregivers?
  Do you feel that better conditioning enables handling patients manually with less risk of self-injury than nurses and other caregivers?
  Do you feel the patient thinks less of a PT or OT for using assistive equipment during the course of therapy?
  Do you feel use of mechanical lifting devices detracts from the patient's progress toward full functional status and independence?
  Do you believe the attitude of PTs and OTs is shifting toward greater acceptance of safe patient handling techniques and equipment into daily practice?
  
  
• March 2010
  On a scale of 1 to 10, please report on your facility’s progress toward attainment of your safe patient handling goals.
  
  
• January 2010
  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?
  
  
• November 2009
  Have you encountered resistance from physicians regarding use of assistive lifting equipment with their patients?
  Should physicians play a more active role in encouraging or requiring their patients to be lifted, repositioned, etc., using assistive technology?
  
  
• September 2009
  Patients sometimes refuse to be lifted by mechanical means. Do you feel all patients should be required to sign a “consent” form upon admission, requiring their cooperation in use of patient lifting systems in order to prevent caregiver injuries?
  
  
• June 2009
  In today’s economic climate, what would YOU say to a reluctant administrator to encourage investment in safe lifting equipment and an injury prevention program?
  
  
• April 2009
  What impact do you feel the current economic down-turn will have on safe patient handling and caregiver injury prevention programs?
  
  
• February 2009
  In your experience, do you think consistent use of patient lifts has a positive or negative effect on patient safety and quality of care?
  
  
• December 2008
  In your opinion, what would make your caregiver injury prevention program more effective?
  
  
• October 2008
  What is the present “mix” of patient lifts in your facility?
  What mix do you see in the future?
  What type of facility do you work in?
  
  
• August 2008
  How would you rate your facility in terms of implementing a safe lifting program?
  
  
• June 2008
  What is your single most important consideration when faced with the need to lift or reposition a patient
  
  
• March 2008
  Do you believe a "National Healthcare Safe Lifting Day" would help to focus attention on prevention of lifting injuries in healthcare?