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The American Nursing Association states that 52% of all nurses complain of back injuries, and 1 out of 8 nurses will leave the profession early due to injury.1 One cause of these back problems is patient handling. When you’re lifting and transferring patients all day, what are you doing to minimize the wear and tear on your body?
What is safe patient handling?
Safe patient handling uses mechanical or manual equipment to lift and move patients. This can help all nurses and care providers reduce their risk of overexertion injuries by replacing manual patient handling with safer methods. At the same time, it also maximizes the safety and comfort of the patient during handling.
Lifting Weight Limit & Risks
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has suggested a 35 lb. maximum lifting weight, based on the patient being cooperative and unlikely to move suddenly during the task.2
But in reality, you know that during a transfer, a patient may experience a muscle spasm or become combative. These movements put staff at a higher risk and change the 35 lb. maximum lifting equation, making lifting equipment necessary to keep you and your patients safe.
Even when you practice the best ergonomics and lifting techniques, several movements put you at risk for injury, including lifting:
- With extended arms
- When near the floor
- When sitting or kneeling
- With the trunk twisted or the load off to the side of the body
- With one hand
- In a restricted space
- During a shift lasting longer than eight hours
Adding lifting equipment can keep you safe and prevent injuries. Lifts and aids are an important part of protecting your health, your career, and your patients.
Benefits of Safe Patient Handling for Hospitals and Clinics
Talk to your employer about the benefits of having a safe patient handling program, including:
- A reduction in annual employee injuries
- A reduction in lost and restricted work days
- An increase in patient referrals (patients feel more dignified and safe)
- An increase in employee satisfaction
It can be challenging to change the way everyone thinks and performs patient handling. But it’s important that everyone receives appropriate training on the equipment and that management encourages its use. Nurses have the right to a safe and secure workplace so they can provide quality patient care.
The goal of safe patient handling programs should be to eliminate all manual lifting when possible. Some hospitals, including Baptist Health System in Florida and medical centers in the Department of Veterans Affairs, have reduced lifting injuries by 80% by using machines and intensive training.2
The use of mechanical lifting devices, training programs for these devices, and incorporating space and construction design for mechanical lifting, will help to reduce employee injuries. It is necessary to accept that this is no longer an exception to care, but is the expectation of care.
What should I use to transfer patients safely?
There are several pieces of equipment that can help you move and lift patients – from small assistive aids for more mobile patients, like gait belts, to larger pieces of equipment for lifting immobile patients. The best equipment for you will depend on the type of movement you’re doing and what your facility has available.
Types of Patient Movement and Lifting
- Lateral transfers: Moving patients sideways (bed to stretcher)
- Transfers involving sitting positions: Bed to chair, chair to chair, chair to toilet
- Repositioning: Pulling patients up in bed, moving them side to side in bed, or pulling patients up in chairs
- Floor: Moving patients who have fallen on the floor back into bed
Be sure to follow Safe Patient Handling Techniques when using equipment too:
- Maintain a wide, stable base with your feet
- Try to keep the work directly in front of you to avoid rotating your spine
- Adjust the bed to the correct height (waist level when providing care and hip level when moving a patient)
- Keep the patient as close to you as possible to minimize reaching or overstretching
- Keep the load centered to reduce the stress on your back
What aids and equipment are available for safe patient handling?
Basic Equipment for More Mobile Patients
Mechanical lifts are ideal because they reduce the most stress on your body, but due to budgets, space constraints, and other factors, they might not always be available. These more economical options still help reduce your risk of injury while moving and transferring patients.
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Advanced Mechanical Lifting Equipment
44% of all worker-reported injuries in the healthcare industry are due to overexertion.3 For the safest patient handling, the goal should be a no-lift or minimal-lift policy. The ANA supports the elimination of manual patient handling to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.4
There are several mechanical aids available to help accomplish this goal depending on the patient’s mobility level. Here’s a brief overview of common equipment that you may use when safely lifting your patients.
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Nursing is one of the most dangerous jobs in America, due to the high number of back injuries from lifting and moving patients. Relying on modern technology (rather than your back) can help reduce injuries and enable you to do your job safely.
The goal should be for nurses to provide healthcare to their patients, and for proper manual and mechanical devices to provide the lifting. This helps protect both you and your patient from injury!
Read Part 3 of this series, Let’s Talk About Pain Relief for Nurses, to find relief for an existing work, exercise, or everyday injuries.
References
- Harwood, S. (n.d.) Safe Patient Handling. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/2VSYrts
- Zwerdling, D. (2015). Hospitals Fail To Protect Nursing Staff From Becoming Patients. Retrieved from https://n.pr/2Cjaz8u
- Wallis, L. (2015). OSHA Gets Serious About Workplace Safety for Nurses. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/2M0kWaW
- American Nurses Association. (2008). Elimination of Manual Patient Handling to Prevent Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/2M5ySQW
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this site, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
