Safe Patient Handling Flashcards
Who is at a high risk of work-related back pain?
nurses and nurse-aides because they perform more lifting/bending
Who is more likely to lose time from work due to back pain?
orderlies and aides (compared to nurses)
What are some examples of patient handling tasks?
one-person (hug) and two-person (gait belt) patient transfers, repositioning (hook method, draw sheet)
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 pounds
What is the problem with these tasks?
They do not protect the handlers because they exceed the spinal load limit recommended by NIOSH
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.
What are the elements of a Best Practice Patient Handling program?
- ergonomic assessment protocol (hospital environment, injury rates)
- patient assessment criteria
- algorithm for patient handling/movement
- selecting good patient handling equipment
- back injury resource nurses (BIRNS)
- after action review
- no-lift or minimal-lift policy
What is the most effective equipment in long-term facilities to reduce risk of injury?
overhead lifts
What is the most effective in a hospital setting to reduce injuries and lost workdays?
COMBINATION OF mechanical lift equipment and training
Are lift teams effective?
No (because they take too long to assemble and most nurses are in a hurry)
What are some barriers to equipment use and other practices?
lack of knowledge on how to use equipment, lack of training, poor accessibility, lack of policy, lack of motivation
What device is used for patients moving from a bed to a gurney?
lateral transfer device
What are the four steps to safely lift patients?
assess the ___
assess the ___
get the ___
perform the ____
Assess the patient
Assess the environment
Get the necessary equipment
Perform the task safely
Are patients more or less comfortable with a mechanical device in comparison to a manual lifting?
Less comfortable
What does a mechanical transfer device make patients feel?
more secure, and more dignified
Does it take less time to manually move patients than to use lift equipment?
Yes
What are the four factors that influence safe patient lifting policies and practices?
personnel factors, patient related factors, environmental factors, equipment factors
What are the types of mechanical lifting equipment?
draw sheet, gait belt, barton chair, hovermatt, hoverjack, hoyer lift, sally roller slide board, maxi move, ceiling lift, sara 3000
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, what was the most common event leading to injuries a healthcare setting in 2015?
overexertion and bodily reaction
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.
4 times
What do shower chairs eliminate?
multiple transfers
What is a trapeze lift best for?
a patient who can use her arms to lift herself but not her legs
What are trapeze lifts?
a bar device suspended above the bed which allows patients/residents with upper muscle strength to help reposition themselves.
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.
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.
What is a roll on weight scale for?
patients that can be sat in a wheelchair but cannot stand on the scale to be weighed
What are sliding boards used for?
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
What are slip sheets?
help to reduce friction while laterally transferring patients or repositioning them
