Patient Transfer Assist Devices
Dec 30, 2015
Patient Transfer Assist Devices
Patient Handling
Potential Hazard
– Employee exposure to injury from ergonomic stressors during handling, transferring, and repositioning of patients and residents.
Who is Affected?
– Hospital, home health care, nursing home and other health care workers (especially nursing assistants) are affected.
Descent Control System
Why is it important?
Bureau of Labor Statistics for nursing and personal care facilities. – Over 200,000 work-related injuries and illnesses
per year.
– Many are serious injuries and more than half require time away from work.
– Nearly $1 billion per year in workers compensation costs.
– Workers in nursing homes are twice as likely to get hurt.
– Patient handling is a leading cause for health care injuries.
Increased Risks
There is an increased risk if patient handling tasks are:– Repetitive
– Done in awkward postures
– Done with a lot of force
– Done while lifting alone
– Done while lifting un-cooperative, confused, or large patients
– Done over great distances
– Done by employees that have been ineffectively trained
Demonstration of Descent Control System on Stairs
Possible Solutions
Provide & train employees with assist devices
– Minimizes and possibly eliminates manual lifting
Train employees on proper lifting procedures
Create a plan that:
– Identifies patient/resident handling hazards
– Establishes patient/resident handling criteria
Possible Solutions
According to OSHA, the best possible way to reduce patient handling injuries is to minimize and whenever possible, eliminate, manual patient positioning.
This can be done by utilizing the following devices.
Assist Devices for Bathrooms
Shower Chairs – fit over toilets, into showers, etc. to eliminate multiple transfers
Shower Stalls with Level Floor Surfaces – allows for easy movement of shower chairs
Toilet Seat Risers – equalizes height of wheelchair and toilet
Bath Cabinets & Adjustable Tubs
Assist Devices for Dependent Patients
Sling–Type Full Lift – used to transfer patients that are totally dependent, not limited by a track
Lean-Stand Assist Lift – used to transfer patients that have some lifting ability, not limited by a track
Ceiling Mounted Lift Device – used to transfer patients that are totally dependent, limited by a track
To reduce the chances of a repetitive strain disorder, use an electric device instead of one that requires manual pumping.
Assist Devices for Lateral Transfers
Sliding Boards – a slick board used to move patients laterally, reduces need for lifting
Slip Sheets/Roller Sheets – “slick” sheets used to move patients laterally, reduces need for lifting
Some new systems are mechanical and require no lifting
Assist Devices for Repositioning
Height Adjustable Electric Beds – eases transfer to wheelchairs and interaction with staff, can be lowered for patient safety, preferred to manual versions
Trapeze Lifts – allows patients with upper body strength to reposition
Assist Devices for Movement
Walking or Gait Belts – allows workers to hold onto belt providing stabilization, not designed to lift patients
Wheelchairs with Removable Arms – allows easier lateral transfers, good with height adjustable beds
Sitting-Standing Wheelchairs – allows sitting to standing options for patients and workers
Decent Control System (DCS) – used to move patients from a building in an emergency
Miscellaneous Assist Devices
Roll on Weight Scale – allows patients to be weighed in their wheel chairs, eliminates lifting.
Pivot Transfer Disk Devices – allows cooperative patients to be pivoted.
Back Belts – reduces risk of back injury, does not allow worker to lift more weight.
Remember – it’s difficult to safely lift a patient, even with help, and impossible to safely lift a patient alone.
For more assist devices visit www.osha.gov.
Proper Lifting Techniques
Study the “load” before your lift
Use help when needed Use assist devices when
possible When lifting
– Stand close to the load
– Keep your back straight
– Get a good grip
– Lift with your legs
Patient Care Plans
A written plan that describes: – Specific patient needs
– Degree of assistance required
– Special treatments Possible scenarios
– Color coding patient lift requirements at bedside
– Separate patients based on needs
– Staggered staffing
Patient Care Plans
A good place to visit for examples of patient care plans and patient evaluation protocol is http://www.osha.gov/ergonomics/guidelines/nursinghome/
Can Patient Assist?
Use full-body sling lift -or- friction-reducing device and 2 or more caregivers.
Encourage patient to help using a positioning aid or cues.
Caregiver assistance not needed; patient may/may not use positioning aid.
If patient is >200 pounds: Use a friction-reducing device and at least 3 caregivers.
If patient is <200 pounds: Use a friction-reducing device and 2-3 caregivers.
NO
Some
YES
Summary Points
Patient handling is a leading cause of injuries for healthcare workers
Avoid risks that increase chance of injury
Possible solutions
– Use assist devices
– Train employees how to lift properly
– Create a written plan that
Identifies hazards
Establishes handling criteria