1. Module 16
Safe Patient Handling

2. Safe Patient Handling
Safe patient handling focuses on the safe care of patients and safe practices of caregivers during intervention requiring direct hands-on patient care.
Includes:
Lifting and transferring
Bed mobility and repositioning
Assisting with treatment procedures
Transportation of living and deceased patients

3. Safe Patient Handling May also include: Handling equipment
Patient assist device
Team lifting

4. Patient Handling Protocols
Patient handling protocols refers to the type of patient handling equipment or patient assist devices
It also refers to the number of caregivers needed to safely move a patient during bed mobilization or transfer

5. Equipment or Assist Devices
Types of patient handling equipment or assist devices:
mechanical lift devices
roller sheets
air assistive transfer mattresses
gait transfer belts
pivot disks

6. Bed Mobility
Bed mobility refers to the positioning or moving of a patient in the bed
moving a patient up in bed
rolling or turning a patient to the side
assisting a patient from supine to/from sitting
Transfers – moving a patient from one surface to another
Lateral transfer – move a patient between two flat surfaces (i.e. between a gurney and a bed, or a gurney and a surgery/exam table)
Pivot transfer – move a patient from a sitting position on one surface to a sitting position on another surface (i.e. from a bed to/from a wheelchair or commode)

7. Roles & Responsibilities
All Caregivers
Engineering/
Biomedical Engineering
Directors/
Managers/
Supervisors
Ensuring safe patient handling is a combined effort from all caregivers, directors, managers, supervisors, engineering and biomedical engineering

8. Roles & Responsibilities
Required to utilize patient handling equipment, patient assist devices, obtain staff assistance and participate in training
Responsible to assist when requested as long as patient or staff safety is not compromised
Responsible for knowing the patient’s status with regard to moving the patient
Required to report any changes in the patient’s status that may affect the way the patient is handled to the attending RN or next caregiver 1 2 3 ✓
All Caregivers
Directors/Managers/Supervisors
Engineering/Biomed Engineering
*Caregiver – refers to trained employee or staff involved in safe patient handling

9. Roles & Responsibilities
No caregiver will attempt to handle patients using a patient lift or patient assist device without prior specific instruction on the device
All caregivers are encouraged to report any barriers or limitations to adhering to patient handling protocols to the manager or supervisor
lack of appropriate equipment available
a consistent lack of assistance available
lack of training for equipment
equipment in disrepair
patient refusal 1 2 3 ✓
All Caregivers
Ensuring safe patient handling is a combined effort from all caregivers, directors, managers, supervisors, engineering and biomedical engineering
Directors/Managers/Supervisors
Engineering/Biomed Engineering

10. Roles & Responsibilities
Ensure that caregivers are utilizing patient evaluation and handling protocols and patient handling equipment properly
Ensure that caregivers within the unit are provided with education and training regarding patient evaluation, patient handling protocols and patient handling equipment or assist devices
Ensure equipment and staff is available to carry out safe patient handling protocols 1 2 3
All Caregivers
Ensuring safe patient handling is a combined effort from all caregivers, directors, managers, supervisors, engineering and biomedical engineering ✓
Directors/Managers/Supervisors
Engineering/Biomed Engineering

11. Roles & Responsibilities
Identifiy and correct potential ergonomic risks that may affect patient handling (i.e. broken beds, equipment, etc.)
Identify need and perform disciplinary action and follow up when appropriate 1 2 3
All Caregivers ✓
Directors/Managers/Supervisors
Engineering/Biomed Engineering

12. Roles & Responsibilities1 2 3
Maintain mechanical lift devices in proper working order, and conduct preventative maintenance annually or as recommended by manufacturer’s guidelines
All Caregivers
Directors/Managers/Supervisors ✓
Engineering/Biomed Engineering

13. Patient Evaluation
All patients should be evaluated and reevaluated to identify the physical and functional limitations they may have that will affect the ability of the caregiver to move the patient.
height, weight and body shape
physical impairments
balance deficiencies
functional ability
cognitive functioning
spasms or contractures
patient’s level of cooperation
pain level
any circumstances that may affect the patient’s ability to be moved (i.e. chest or abdominal wounds, presence of tubes)
Ensuring safe patient handling is a combined effort from all caregivers, directors, managers, supervisors, engineering and biomedical engineering

14. Responsibilities of RN in Patient Evaluation
The Registered Nurse will:
Assess safe patient handling tasks upon admission to the unit
Document the patient handling evaluation, including any required safe patient handling aids or mechanical lifting equipment needed to safely perform the task
Review the patient handling evaluation every shift, with any change in patient’s functional status, upon transfer to another unit and whenever necessary
Ensuring safe patient handling is a combined effort from all caregivers, directors, managers, supervisors, engineering and biomedical engineering

15. Training
Education and training of all caregiver staff is key to preventing patient handling injuries. Thorough patient handling evaluation and consistent use of patient handling equipment can prevent injuries.
CHSB will provide education and training on lifting techniques and use of equipment upon hire, on an annual basis, and/or whenever new equipment is introduced.
Employee has a responsibility to actively participate and demonstrate competencies.
Documented competency evaluation will be performed according to injury outcomes as directed by the Manager of Injury Prevention
- an injury arising from improper handling of equipment by the employee will be asked to redo training in addition to the annual training already set

16. Patient Handling Equipment - criteria
Patient handling devices are recommended for total body transfers if the patient is totally dependent, except in case of an emergency
Patient handling equipment is required if the patient requires maximum assistance from one or more person to be repositioned, lifted or transferred
Mechanical lift equipment will be readily accessible for use in all direct patient care areas and in good operational condition

17. Situational Exceptions
Safe patient handling guidelines will apply to all situations , except:
Patient refusal (must be documented)
Any situation that may decrease the safety of patient or employee
When the goal of a Physical Therapist (PT) or Occupational Therapist (OT) is to provide training to a patient in self-mobility and transfer skills. The PT/OT will obtain the necessary assistance since the use of a mechanical lift may not facilitate the patient’s goal of achieving independence.

18. Thank You