Workplace Safety in Healthcare

Patient Handling

Workplace Safety in Healthcare

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employees and nurses at personal care facilities suffer over 200,000 work related illnesses and injuries in one year.”

The demand of caring for patients on a daily basis causes immense stress on ones body as employees in the healthcare industry are constantly lifting, transferring and turning patients.  The constant patient handling can lead to overexertion and increase the chances of injuries in the workplace.

One of the major source of injury to workers in the healthcare industry is musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs.) Disorders include conditions such as low back pain, rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow, and carpel tunnel syndrome.

Each condition can cause long-term discomfort and pain in the neck, shoulders, wrists, and knees.  The major concern for employees in the healthcare industry, however, are back injuries. 

These injuries, if severe enough, could potentially end a career.

Preventive Actions

Because injuries can occur to any part of the back, it is important to take preventive action when caring for your patients.

“The use of assistive patient handling equipment and devices is beneficial not only for healthcare staff, but also for patients.”

Healthcare workers should also take the chance prior to lifting and transferring a patient to explain the proper lifting procedures.  This understanding will increase safety for both the worker and the patient.

A transfer is not complete until the patient is safely and securely in the new position.  

The following tips may help transfer or lift a patient:

  • Plan the move and know what you can and cannot do 
  • Tell the person what you are going to do
  • Place transfer surfaces close together
  • Let the person look at the place where they will be transferred
  • Before starting a move, count with the person, “1-2-3”
  • Use your arms to support the person
  • Let your legs do the lifting

 

Synergy Comp offers free safety resources to ensure proper patient lifting and transferring is not overlooked in the workplace.

Synergy Comp’s Free Safety Resources

Safety National is an online training resource that improves the safety performance of your whole team while building a culture of safety. The online training resource covers a broad range of topics related to your business including the topic, Patient Lifting and Transfer

Patient Lifting and Transfer is a great topic to help kick off National Patient Safety Awareness Week.

In the Safety National lesson, Patient Lifting and Transfer, mangers, supervisors and employees will learn:

  • Common injuries & hazards
  • Body mechanics
  • Assessment & algorithms
  • Lift techniques & equipment aides

 

Synergy offers several other safety resources to all current active clients that focus on the specific changes and challenges that are unique to all businesses. The trainings are industry specific and cater to your exact line of business.  The online resource will be free of charge; not only saving time but money.


If you are interested in partnering with Synergy Comp and SOS Consulting to create a culture that fosters communication and embraces safety as a core operating principle, Contact Us Today! 

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