Safe Patient Handling

Question 1

Who is at a high risk of work-related back pain?

Answer 1

nurses and nurse-aides because they perform more lifting/bending

Question 2

Who is more likely to lose time from work due to back pain?

Answer 2

orderlies and aides (compared to nurses)

Question 3

What are some examples of patient handling tasks?

Answer 3

one-person (hug) and two-person (gait belt) patient transfers, repositioning (hook method, draw sheet)

Question 4

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

Answer 4

35 pounds

Question 5

What is the problem with these tasks?

Answer 5

They do not protect the handlers because they exceed the spinal load limit recommended by NIOSH

Question 6

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

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What are the elements of a Best Practice Patient Handling program?

Answer 7

1. ergonomic assessment protocol (hospital environment, injury rates)
2. patient assessment criteria
3. algorithm for patient handling/movement
4. selecting good patient handling equipment
5. back injury resource nurses (BIRNS)
6. after action review
7. no-lift or minimal-lift policy

Question 8

What is the most effective equipment in long-term facilities to reduce risk of injury?

Answer 8

overhead lifts

Question 9

What is the most effective in a hospital setting to reduce injuries and lost workdays?

Answer 9

COMBINATION OF mechanical lift equipment and training

Question 10

Are lift teams effective?

Answer 10

No (because they take too long to assemble and most nurses are in a hurry)

Question 11

What are some barriers to equipment use and other practices?

Answer 11

lack of knowledge on how to use equipment, lack of training, poor accessibility, lack of policy, lack of motivation

Question 12

What device is used for patients moving from a bed to a gurney?

Answer 12

lateral transfer device

Question 13

What are the four steps to safely lift patients?

assess the ___
assess the ___
get the ___
perform the ____

Answer 13

Assess the patient
Assess the environment
Get the necessary equipment
Perform the task safely

Question 14

Are patients more or less comfortable with a mechanical device in comparison to a manual lifting?

Answer 14

Less comfortable

Question 15

What does a mechanical transfer device make patients feel?

Answer 15

more secure, and more dignified

Question 16

Does it take less time to manually move patients than to use lift equipment?

Answer 16

Yes

Question 17

What are the four factors that influence safe patient lifting policies and practices?

Answer 17

personnel factors, patient related factors, environmental factors, equipment factors

Question 18

What are the types of mechanical lifting equipment?

Answer 18

draw sheet, gait belt, barton chair, hovermatt, hoverjack, hoyer lift, sally roller slide board, maxi move, ceiling lift, sara 3000

Question 19

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

Answer 19

overexertion and bodily reaction

Question 20

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.

Answer 20

4 times

Question 21

What do shower chairs eliminate?

Answer 21

multiple transfers

Question 22

What is a trapeze lift best for?

Answer 22

a patient who can use her arms to lift herself but not her legs

Question 23

What are trapeze lifts?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

What is a Overhead Track Mounted Patient Lifter?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

What is a pivot transfer disk devices?

Answer 25

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

Question 26

What is a roll on weight scale for?

Answer 26

patients that can be sat in a wheelchair but cannot stand on the scale to be weighed

Question 27

What are sliding boards used for?

Answer 27

a slick board under patients to help reduce the need for lifting during transfer of patient/residents from bed to bed or chair to chair

Question 28

What are slip sheets?

Answer 28

help to reduce friction while laterally transferring patients or repositioning them