Top Responses in each category

I believe many of the new program initiatives will be put on hold.

• I think healthcare facilities that have equipment will use what they have and not be able to add new until the economy turns. I think those that have none or do not have grants to get something will have some difficulty improving the prevention program. Equipment and use does make a difference.
• The perception is the cost of the lifts, sliders, etc is too much money when the (visible) cash flow is decreased. The $$ paid out in WCI appears invisible, even to the "bean counters" as it is not a hard, tangible piece of equipment.
• Because revenue sources (government aid, grants, private donations, and endowments) are down, many organizations feel the need to eliminate discretionary spending. Unfortunately, SPH equipment is too easily viewed as a "luxury" since Nurses and PCTs have been lifting and moving patients for years without mechanical assistance. Strapped for cash today, health care facilities see budget/cost/expenditure-cutting (i.e. delayed or cancelled purchases of equipment, training and program implementation) as a more direct and effective means of saving money than reducing long-term expenses due to injured workers or patients. It is also easier to show quick and dramatic "savings" that result from budget slashing than the true long-term savings that come from lower injury rates and better productivity and morale.
• Even though the ROI is significant and makes sense from a long-term cost savings standpoint, many institutions are putting capital investment projects on hold given a cut-back in reimbursements and losses in their investment portfolios.
• Ergo equipment is an expensive prospect on the front end, even though the long term benifits are proven. The current administration appears to be supportive of health care facilities, it still comes down to where to spend the limited resources for the greatest immediate return.

I believe the economy will have no effect on safe patient handling programs.

• Organizations that value their employees safety will find ways to develop or continue safe lifting programs.
• The reason for the safe lifting programs remains the same and has economic benefit. Those who have seen it will continue with it and others will not, but not based on the economy.
• Prevention of pt falls and employee injury saves money and improves pt care and employee satisfaction

I believe these programs will be more important than ever.

• The programs can become part of cost saving strategy.
• I believe that with greater knowledge and understanding of the real cost of staff and patient injuries due to lifting injuries, hospitals and LTC will see this movement as a cost savings opportunity
• Injuries cost more than equipment
• Lowering work comp costs and retaining the aging nursing workforce are two high priorities
• I believe facility owners and managers will be more interested in safer ways to lift and transfer residents so as to reduce the liability associated with falls and injuries first to residents and secondly to staff members.
• Organization running leaner - less help for ambulation and turns
• So those with jobs keep them
• Staff is more strapped for $ and increased anxiety, depression and will not take time to think things through correctly.
• Work loads are heavier, staffing is more critical, patients are sicker

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