Safe
Patient Handling - A Multidisciplinary Approach
Presentation Outline
Susan
Martel, RN, MS
Administrative Director Nursing Operations
Fletcher Allen Healthcare
Problem
Lifting is the single most
important occupational risk factor associated with low back
injury. Patient lifting has long been identified as the
primary occupational back stressor for nursing personnel.
AIHAJ(62) July/August 2001
Evidence
A. The nursing profession
has been shown to be one of the most at risk occupations
for low back pain.
(IOS Press 2002)
B. Injury is more likely to occur when workers perform tasks
that exceed their physical capacities.
(Physical and Biological Hazards of the Workplace, Second
Edition 2002)
C. In 2001 forty-two percent of musculoskeletal injuries
occurred in patient care locations.
Fifty-three percent of those injuries involved back
and upper extremities.
Strategy
A. Organize a multidisciplinary
team, with each responsible for representing a specialized body
of knowledge.
1. Nursing
2. Patient Support Services
3. Safety
4. Physical Therapy
5. Employee Health
6. Education
7. Quality Improvement
(FAHC Employee Health Data 2002)
Practice change
A. Development
of care site assessment
B. Staff education program
C. Back injury resource nurses (BIRN's)
D. Policy development and implementation
E. Mechanical device evaluation
Evaluation
A. Staff education
program
B. Concurrent data collection on injury rate
Recommendations
A. Assess culture
B. Assess education tools
Bibliography
Lynch, R., Freund, A. 92002) Short-Term efficacy of back injury intervention project for patient care providers
at one hospital. AIHAJ A journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety,
61;290, 290-294.
Metules, T., (2001), Watch your back!. RN, 64 (60, 65-66.
O’Reilly Brophy, M., Achimore, L., Moore-Dawson, J., (2001). Reducing incidence of low-back injuries
reduces cost. AIHAJ A journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety,
62;508, 508-511.
Owen, B.D., (2002), Preventin injuries using an ergonomic approach. AORN Journal, 72 (6), 1031-1036.
Silvia, C.E., Bloswick, D.S., Lillquist, D., Wallace, D., Perkins, M.S., (2002) An ergonomic comparison
between mechanical and manual patient transfer techniques. Work 19 (2002) IOS Press, 19-34.
Schuldenfrei, P., (1998). No heavy lifting, making safety work. American Journal of Nursing, 98 (9), 46-48.
Waters, T.R., (2002). Manual material handling. Physical and Biological Hazards in the Workplace.
Second Edition. 51-57.
Special Report. Musculoskeletal Injuries. Hospital Employee Health January 1998, 1-5.
Veterans Health Administration and Department of Devense, Patient Safety Center of Inquiry (Tampa, FL).
Patient care ergonomics resource guide: Safe patient handlin and movement, October 2001. 1-94.
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