Staffing by Tonnage

[Zee_RN]

We decided this weekend that staffing should be done according to average tonnage on the unit. The first three rooms in ICU: Bed 1: 252 pounds, new Guillian-Barre pt. Bed 2: 284 pounds, intubated, big overdose attempt. Bed 3: 348 pounds, intubated septic and no fecal bag will attach! That's 884 pounds right there. Surely that's worth at least 6 nurses.

What do you think? 1 nurse per every 150-175 pounds of patient? (Mind you, we haven't be able to sell this concept to management yet :))

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

no lift policy

it is a method of moving patients using simple cheap equipment. most facilities here are falling over themselves to implement it as it cuts down on workers compensation claims and thereofor premiums - it pays for itself as well as saving our backs!

this is a commercial site but it does give an overview of what a no lift policy is about.

http://www.tuohy-main-systems.com.au/pages/refs.html

http://www.qnu.org.au

the second site is the union site and it outlines how they are supporting the "no lift policy"

instead of putting up with bad backs - get onto your unions/organisations to put pressure on the hospitals to introduce these simple practices,

slide sheets are cheap well, relatively, compared to virtually any other equipment in the hospital. it is simply slippery nylon material and at first it sounds like a lot more effort but believe me it is not.

[funnygirl_rn]

originally posted by gwenith

just found this thread and i want to ask[

color=crimson]don't any of you have a "no-lift" policy? don't you use "slide sheets/move tubes"?

we have a no-lift policy driven by workcover the insurer for workplace injuries. this policy encourages the facility to get mechanical lifters and "slide sheets" to help moving patients.

slide sheets are made from nylon sail cloth very slippery. you have to roll the patient but once they are underneath you can move even the heaviest patient around the bed by sliding rather than lifting. they do have a downside - more fiddling around so it takes a little longer and they are noisy but they are better than doing it by hand.

gwenith...when i lived abroad we used something called a "slip & slide"....sounds like what you are referring to. it was wonderful. unfortunately...back in the states...hoyer lifts are broken or they cannot support the weight of 400 lbs & above on our unit. we tend to get a lot of gastric bypass patients (often 500 lbs & up)...and believe me my lower back & forearm's really take a toll. also, i am 5'4 & weigh 118 lbs, petite. i do try to work out & keep myself in shape...but, these patients, lack of staff, lack of proper equipment & not having a "no lift policy" implemented is causing me chronic pain & trips to the doctor. i want my body back to "normal"....so, i have been looking to get out of bedside nursing....since the hospital(s) in my area don't seem to care if someone injures their back, tears a rotator cuff or has chronic tendonitis.

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

And they wonder why there is a shortage of bediside nurses?

The push of a lot of this did come form "workcover " which is the goverment workers compensation insurer.

[funnygirl_rn]

Originally posted by gwenith

And they wonder why there is a shortage of bediside nurses?

The push of a lot of this did come form "workcover " which is the goverment workers compensation insurer.

Exactly! At my facility they have numerous complaints & nurses who have filed for workmans' compensation....but management doesn't seem to care....just as long as they aren't subjected to lifting/hurting their bodies! Agh!!