Safe Mobility & Safe Handling Flashcards
What are the learning outcomes for this content?
Understanding the functions of the musculoskeletal system in the regulation of movement, discussing physiological/pathological influences on body alignment and joint mobility, ability to preform LITE assessment, and determine range of safe handling strategies.
Define body mechanics.
Coordinated efforts of musculoskeletal and nervous systems to maintain balance posture and body alignment during: lifting, bending, moving, and ADLs
Why is the use of proper body mechanics important?
Its important for the safety and wellbeing of nurses and patients.
What is alignment in body mechanics?
The positioning of joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles while standing, sitting, and lying.
Correct body alignment reduces what?
Strain on musculoskeletal structures and risk of injury.
What does correct body alignment help with?
Adequate muscle tone and contributes to balance and energy conservation.
Why is balance important?
Without balance control the centre of gravity is displaced and there is an increased risk of falls and injury.
How is balance increased?
With a widespread base of support and correct body posture.
Define ADLs.
Activities of daily living
Define weight
The force exerted on the body by gravity
What must someone do to transfer safely
The person transferring must overcome the weight of the object
Define friction.
The force that opposes the relative motion of surfaces of bodies in contact.
How do nurses overcome friction?
They reduce the amount of surface area - i.e arms over chest when moving a patient up a bed. Or by reducing pressure on surfaces ie using a slide sheet.
What is a LITE assessment?
An acronym for the key risk factors when preparing a patient for a safe handling strategy
What does LITE stand for?
Load, individual, task, and environment
Which guidelines does moving and handling people come under?
The NZ guidelines 2012
What does load refer to in the LITE assessment?
The patient characteristics that can affect the handling risk.
What is involved in the individual part of the LITE assessment?
The capability’s of you as the career and the capabilities of the careers working with you.
What does task refer to in the LITE assessment?
The nature of the task you need to preform (What, how, when)
What does environment refer to in the LITE assessment?
The environment in which the task will be completed in.
What information is important to gain before doing a safe handling assessment?
What the person can do first which is gained through communicating with staff who are knowledgeable on the patient, clinical notes, asking the patient, NCP, physio plan, family, and physical assessment (musculoskeletal or coordination and balance assessment.
Before preforming a safe handle what do you need to do?
Preform the LITE assessment, assess the patients ability, ensure clothing correct, never lift, know your limits, do one thing at a time, choose a leader who is in charge of the task and listen to them.
When choosing a leader for a lift what is important to consider?
Choosing someone who is of the same height as you.
When preforming the move what do you need to ensure.
Maintain straight curve of spine, stable position, avoid twisting, bend knees, elbows in, tighten abs, head up, move slowly and maintain a 16kg limit
What is the weight limit for lifting?
16kg
When beginning to lift what saying do we follow?
Ready, Steady, Stand.
What are the types of equipment we can use for a lift?
Full hoist, standing hoist, transfer boards, sliding sheets, transfer belts, and a variety of walking frames.
