Safe Patient Handling

Question 1

Work Related MSK Disorders

Answer 1

Most prevalent activities being performed at the time of the injury:

Transferring a patient

Lifting

Responding to an unanticipated or sudden movement by the patient

Question 2

High Risk Tasks

Answer 2

Patient transfers

Patient repositioning

Bent or twisted postures

Question 3

Important Note:

Answer 3

There is NO safe way to lift a dependent patient

Question 4

Functional Progression: Dependent Lift

Answer 4

Transfer to chair with PT/OT

Transfer to chair with nursing

Allows for shower

Question 5

Functional Progression: Sit-Stand-Lift (Standing Frame)

Answer 5

Begin intiital standing

Weight shifting

Endurance

ADLs with UEs in standing

Initial gait training

Question 6

Functional Progression: Ambulation with Assistive Device

Answer 6

Parallel Bars

Front-wheeled walker

Question 7

Supported Walking System

Answer 7

Focus on therapy changed to ambulation using unweighting harness on a treadmill

Decrease fear of falling

Therapist free to facilitate and correct movement

Resulted in increased exercise duraiton and better rehabilitation gains