Comments from readers
Have you encountered resistance from physicians regarding use of assistive lifting equipment with their patients?
- Especially in specialty areas like OR and ER.
- I think it could affect the outcome or getting them weight bearing sooner for release.
- Many orthopedic physicians feel that the patient needs to mobilize independent of machinery.
- Initially, our ortho docs were concerned about lift equipment and their hip patients. They have since come to accept the slings.
- Initially yes, and sporadically now. We have found that helping the treating physician understand how assistive lifting contributes to the treatment they generally come along.
- Orthopedic physicians; surgeons
- Physicians seem to be non-players in the discussion. Families and residents are much more vocal about it--usually negative when they are first in the facility, less so after getting used to them.
- Many physicians have no understanding of the challenges associated with handling and moving patients, and the strain this places on nurses and other healtcare workers. They also don't connect SPHM practices with patient safety.
- They many times don't understand the equipment's application. Also had resistance and strong opinions on vendors renting bariatric beds & equipment.
Should physicians play a more active role in encouraging or requiring their patients to be lifted, repositioned, etc., using assistive technology?
- Consider data including patient outcomes such as decrease risk of skin or musculoskeletal injury to patient, as well as reduced injury risk to caregiver.
- Particularly with patients who have a high BMI. It is almost a taboo subject to suggest that the patient may need assistance due to weight.
- I have had patients refuse to be placed in lift equipment. As I work at a no lift facility, we struggle with how to deal with our protocols and the patients needs.
- When the treating physician understands how this can improve the pt mobility, length of stay and quality outcomes; they will want to be more active and should prescribe modalities as part of the care plan.
- We are in the process of working with physicians to atleast identify their patients who have mobility issues and to provide information about their height/weight prior to admission so that we can identify equipment/staffing needs. Once we can better educate the providers about SPH, it will be helpful for them to recommend/order that specific SPH equipment be used.
- Physicians are an important link in the strength of the SPH chain. They are often times critized by being part of the resistance, and not supportive of the SPH initiatives. The resistance comes mostly from a lack of understanding of the broad range of technology and solutions to SPH. They are more or less governed by the old Hoyer lifts with the “one size fits all” mentality.
- Having a physician endorse the lift equipment and the resident's opportunity to request staff always use it would be helpful.
- If physicians understood how SPHM pracitices are safer for their patients and their co-workers, and if they set clear expectations for how their patients should be handled and moved using evidence-based best practices, it would go a long way towards changing the culture and sustaining use of appropriate SPHM equipment.
- If RN's see this is more for the sake of the patient's safety, they will tend to utilize more. If the doctor orders use of equipment, it's a done deal. What a dream that would be!
- If resistance is present with any consumer to using lifts, the physician should follow the recommendations of the facility(care givers). Further more the facility in order to best serve the consumer as well as the care giver should not be lifting more weight than has been recommended by NIOSH. Physicians would overall would need to be educated on the various mechanical devices available to move and lift consumers. When everyone is on the same page it becomes a win, win situation for all and a safer place to work.
- MDs assume lifting and repositioning is a nurse's job, not their job.
- They should allow the professionals to decide the best way to maneuver the patient. They should provide guidelines (WB status, safety considerations with BP, bone integrity, braces, etc.)
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