differences in moving and handling

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jul 15, 2007

from a UK nurse waiting to move to the US it does amaze me that US hospitals don't always invest in lifting equipment to aid the staff in the movement of patients. Surely protecting the staffs backs will result in better staff morale, less sick time and patients understanding that entering hospital does not mean that they can not do things for themselves. I have been nusing for over 20 years so did do lifting and manual movement of patients and do get the occassional twinge with my back but thankfully being careful with my handling I am not as bad as some others I know.

Also never had any problems with patients once explained the no lifting/moving policy although relations sometime did not understand. Even be known to have 8 staff to move a patient as the equipment on the ward was not equipped to manage their weight but again all was explained to the patient and dignity maintained.

cariad · Jul 15, 2007

have been here over 3 years and have worked in 5 hospitals, and although some of them do have a 'hoyer lift' have hardly ever seen them being used. there is no education for the nurses as to how to use them properly or the reason for using them. sick time here is basically non-existent, so it doesnt mstter to the hospital if you hurt yourself and are sick, they just replace you. it doesnt cost them anything if you have hurt yourself while lifting a patient. last week a very big guy slipped to the floor and they brought, the male techs from ct and an ambulance crew who were in the er to lift him back to bed. so where would the hospital stand if one of them had hurt his back.

cheshirecat · Jul 15, 2007

Reading some of these posts makes me glad I am nursing in the UK.

The working conditions/terms of employment of US nurses seems to be appalling.

I think I would prefer to be poorly paid but have decent employment rights.

cariad · Jul 15, 2007

we have a good lifestyle here and i enjoy my work, but it is a double edged sword. if theres patients to be lifted and the other staff are prepared to lift them then its a case of standing back and letting them get on with it.

but i remember the days when the manual handling was changed in the uk, and working with nurses who would lift the patient while i was getting the hoist.

there was a lot of resistance by nurses to the new rules, bu they became mandatory so they had to change.

allnurses Guide · Jul 15, 2007

Reading some of these posts makes me glad I am nursing in the UK.
.

:lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: That'll get you shot in some places, didn't you know the UK is a terrible place to work.

I am just kidding I know it has good and bad points.

I am surprised the US still allows manual lifting, doesn't it lead to huge law suits from nurses who injure themselves lifting, especially as there is a better way of moving patients

cariad · Jul 16, 2007

the nurses here dont know that theres a better way of moving patients, and they are not really interested anyway.

they think that bad backs are part of being a nurse.

try telling them that they are even injuring the patients and they just think that we are know it alls from the uk.

although its a litigous society, if you hurt yourself in work theres a thing called workmans comp,,,,which pays very little and gives you nothing. not even sure how it works.

nightmare, RN · Jul 16, 2007

Keep spreading the word!! There's any amount of moving and handling info on the web and apparatus for safe moving.A slide sheet or two does not cost the earth.Has there ever,I wonder ,been an action for comp.by a nurse showing all the things that could have prevented her/his injury?

cheshirecat · Jul 16, 2007

There was a court case a few years ago of a nurse injured by lifting patients (in the UK). The ward was chronically understaffed, and the nurse (ward sister) proved she lifted a certain weight every day (forget the numbers.

She received a hefty compensation package, but did sustain horrible injuries ie prolapsed womb etc etc.

I believe she ended up infertile and this was taken into account. Does anyone remember this case?

Also, all of us oldies who where sold the Aussie lift as the be all and end all of lifting - can we sue the nhs for corporate backache!!! :nono:

cariad · Jul 17, 2007

when i went to st croix, they had one ancient lift which had a canvas sling with metal chains attached. that was it for the whole hospital and it was hardly ever used.

i looked after an 18 year old gunshot victim who was paralysed, and ended up with a horrendous pressure sore. i took it upon myself to care for him each shift that i worked. we had laundry bags made of shiny material, and i used this as a glide sheet and showed him and his mother how to move him from side to side without scraping the pressure sore across the bedsheets each time. its about the most acheivement that i have had since coming here.

even here they only ever have one sling, they dont seem to know about cross infection.

english_nurse · Jul 17, 2007

There was a court case a few years ago of a nurse injured by lifting patients (in the UK). The ward was chronically understaffed, and the nurse (ward sister) proved she lifted a certain weight every day (forget the numbers.
She received a hefty compensation package, but did sustain horrible injuries ie prolapsed womb etc etc.
I believe she ended up infertile and this was taken into account. Does anyone remember this case?
Also, all of us oldies who where sold the Aussie lift as the be all and end all of lifting - can we sue the nhs for corporate backache!!!

dont remember it but its sounds horrendous

CDNORRN · Jul 17, 2007

I find it very interesting following different discussions as people relate back and forth between US and UK. I can only comment on my experience in the US, 7 years worth. Every state and every hospital is different. California being one strong exception. They have a nurses union that just rocks!! Admin shudders at the mention of the word union and does pay attention. Nurse educators have a role to defend so if you bring unsafe issues to their attention, they are responsible to inservice staff. My first job/hospital in North Carolina was very conscientious about patient care and safety so I learned a lot of good habits. I also learned many good defensive lines to other staff and personel who might try bullying you to do something unsafe because of time issues (a big focus in the OR with turnover) Also, learning to say no is beneficial. I have refused to move patients without the appropriate assistance. This didn't make me hugely popular but it is my license to defend if I should ever end up in court. CYA, bottom line. With the appropriate amount of people to move or lift someone, our backs should not suffer. Good technique, and having everyone in agreement with the move is fundamental. Hope this might help.