ERGONOMICS SAFE PATIENT HANDLING OSHA

Equipment factors include:

Lack of proper equipment (lateral transfer equipment, bariatric equipment) Broken and poorly maintained equipment Low height of patient chairs, toilets, or high height of patient bed

What are trapeze lifts useful for?

adjustable beds and armless wheelchairs

Remember that OSHA recommends minimizing manual lifting of patients in ____ cases and eliminating lifting when possible.

all

A roll on weight scale enables patients who _______ stand to be weighed in their wheelchairs.

cannot

Myth: Use of mechanical lifts eliminates all risk of musculoskeletal disorders. Fact: While lifting devices minimize risk, the risk of musculoskeletal disorders probably ________ be eliminated altogether.

cannot

Patients have fewer falls, skin tears, and pressure ulcers when these programs are implemented _________.

correctly

When a medical transfer device is used, patients feel an enhanced sense of __________, leading to _______________.

dignity, increased patient satisfaction.

patient handling ergonomics seeks to maximize the safety and comfort of patients _________ handling.

during

Myth or fact: It takes less time to manually move patients than to use lift equipment.

fact

Myth or fact: Patients are not as comfortable or safe with mechanical lifting.

fact

Myth or fact: We can train workers to use proper body mechanics and avoid injuries.

fact

The incidence rate for injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work is nearly ____ as much for individuals in the healthcare industry as it is for all other industries nationwide.

four times

Height adjustable electric beds have height controls to allow for easy transfers from bed height to wheelchair _________.

height.

Safe patient handling programs, policies, and equipment protect workers, save money, and _________ patient care.

improve

The quality of patient care ________ when safe patient handling programs are implemented.

improves

Other challenges to repositioning ________ abdominal wounds, contractures, presence of tubes, and pregnancy.

include

Safe patient handling programs can reduce ________ such as musculoskeletal disorders.

injuries

Myth: Having mechanical lift equipment alone ensures safe patient handling. Fact: Training is key to the success of any safe patient handling program. In addition, many healthcare facilities _____ conveniently located storage space for portable lifts. Routine servicing and maintenance are also needed.

lack

Ergonomics with patient handling involves the use of __________ equipment and safety procedures to lift and move patients so that health care workers can avoid using manual exertions and thereby reduce their risk of injury.

mechanical

What can shower chairs eliminated?

multiple transfers

Myth: One size fits all when it comes to lifting equipment. Fact: If the device is ____ the right one for the task, it will discourage equipment use.

not

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), what was the most common event leading to injuries when working in a healthcare setting in 2015?

overexertion and bodily reaction

In terms of wage replacement, ______ injuries are among the most expensive type of hospital worker injuries.

patient handling

According to safe handling practices patient size and weight, mental status and combativeness, decreased consciousness, and resistance to equipment use are referred to as what?

patient related factors

What factors can influence patient lifting policies and practices?

personnel, patient, environment, and equipment factors.

By using safe patient handling, you can ________ injuries to both yourself and your patients.

prevent

What is the most commonly cited single cause of occupational injuries in the healthcare sector today?

pushing and pulling action regularly performed during the repositioning of patients.

Mechanical and other safe lift equipment increases patient mobility, which can _________ patients' length of stay.

reduce

Sliding boards are a slick board used under patients/residents to help ______ the need for lifting during transfer of patient/residents from bed to chair, or chair to car. Patients/residents are slid rather than lifted.

reduce

Slip sheets/roller sheets help to reduce friction while laterally transferring patients/residents or repositioning patients/residents in bed and ______ the force workers need to exert to move the patient/residents.

reduce

a patient in a wheelchair who needs to be weighed, but he won't be able to stand on the scale. What type of mechanical lifting equipment could I use in order to weigh him?

roll on weight scale

What does ergonomics refer to?

the design of work tasks to best suit the capabilities of workers

What is a Overhead Track Mounted Patient Lifter?

track systems built into the ceiling that sling lifts attach to. This system provides patient/residents mobility from room to room without manual lifting.

A patient who does not have the ability to move her legs, but can use her arms to lift herself. What type of mechanical lifting equipment would be useful to have to allow her to reposition herself within her bed as needed?

trapeze lift

According to safe handling practices, staff shortage, poor handling techniques, repetitive tasks, and lack of time are all personnel factors. Is this true or false?

true

What is a pivot transfer disk devices?

used for standing pivot transfers and seated pivot transfers for patients/residents that have weight bearing capacity and are cooperative.

You also need to assess the patient with regard to ability to provide assistance, follow instructions, bear weight, how strong they are, and take into consideration their height and ___________.

weight

Shower chairs that fit over the toilet enables patients to be moved to the shower chair, toileted, showered, and transferred back to the ______________.

wheelchair

What are trapeze lifts?

a bar device suspended above the bed which allows patients/residents with upper muscle strength to help reposition themselves.

The recommended weight limit according to NIOSH's lifting equation is ____ pounds for most patient-lifting tasks, but less when conditions are not ideal.

35

There are several guidelines you should adhere to when using mechanical equipment. These include:

Assess the patient Assess the area Decide on equipment Know how to use equipment Plan lift and communicate with staff and patient Work with another team member Have the right equipment available, in good working order, and conveniently located

Environmental factors include:

Confined space of patient room and bathroom Wet and slippery floors Multiple monitors, IV poles, equipment, etc. in rooms

Patient related factors include:

Decreased consciousness Decreased strength and ability to cooperate Mental status and combativeness Patient size and weight No handles Patient/family resistance to equipment use

Hospitals with successful safe patient handling programs have found that the following long-term benefits far outweigh the costs:

Reduced injuries Decreases in lost time and worker compensation claims Increased productivity Higher quality of work life and worker satisfaction Staff retention Better patient care and satisfaction

Personnel factors include:

Staff shortage Healthcare worker general health factors Poor patient handling techniques Repetitive tasks End-of-shift fatigue Lack of equipment training Lack of time Resistance to change