Good Body Mechanics

[admorn03]

I am just curious, about what other nurses see or do concerning good body mechanics.

I have done agency nursing at 3 hospitals where I live and I currently work at one of the hospitals that recruited me.

Well here is what I have noticed.

1) I have had to remind other nurses and staff to raise the bed to mid level before lifting or repositioning, and then if they follow my advise they forget to let the bed down.

2) There are some seasoned nurses that really need to retire, because their lifting skills are very much lacking and has caused some muscle aches for me when it comes to my back. No serious injuries thank GOD.

But if there is another nurse on the unit I will ask them to help instead.

No we don't always have CNA's, we primary a lot at the hospital I work at.

So what do you other nurses think am I being to anal?

I am never rude when I mention this, I just simplly state, while they are bending over with the draw sheet in hand ready to lift "hold on let's raise the bed first".

Also the nurses that are doing IV starts, completing an EKG, or just doing vitals, don't raise the bed. It is bad enough that the person is on their feet while doing this for however long it takes, but to be bending over at the same time OUCH!

Any way, not very interesting discussion I know but just curious.

[nightmare, RN]

I am always having to tell staff to raise /lower beds!Some of them seem to think that their backs will never get hurt.I tell them,"You only get one back".BTW I'm one of those 'old' nurses but I was taught to 'Lift'.Nowadays with our no-lifting policies they do not teach new nurses to lift,which,IMHO is a mistake because we lift in our everyday lives all the time.

[TLCinCICU]

I was very lucky as a new grad. During the orientation for new nurses, we had a 1 or 2 hour period (can't really remember how long) in a class with a physical therapist. He took everyone one of us through the importance of bed heights, leverage, getting help, etc. He showed us how to use our body weights - not muscle - with a draw sheet/pad to do lifts without increasing risk of injury to ourselves. That little session was as valuable as any course I'd had preparing for my new career and I try to pass those same tips on to new orientees. And by the end of my 12 hours, I've usually helped with at least a "boost" with every patient on the pod at least once.

However, the patient may not always cooperate with YOUR good body mechanics. A combative, disoriented, or stubborn (after all, they don't always believe they're weak as kittens) patient can send you looking for your heating pad the moment you get home. This type of jewel is the only reason why I've had a couple of strains over the last 8 years.

[admorn03]

To NIGHTMARE, I hope I did not offend you with the seasoned nurse thing or any other nurse for that matter.

I am referring ONLY to the seasoned nurses at the hospital I currently work at.

My mother has been a nurse for 30 years and is now 55 years old, and she is very strong and could probably lift a patient by herself.

Also another really good lifting technique I have learned is to use trendelenberg when lifting really heavy patients unless it is contraindicated.

thanks for the comments.

[nightmare, RN]

To NIGHTMARE, I hope I did not offend you with the seasoned nurse thing or any other nurse for that matter.

I am referring ONLY to the seasoned nurses at the hospital I currently work at.

My mother has been a nurse for 30 years and is now 55 years old, and she is very strong and could probably lift a patient by herself.

Also another really good lifting technique I have learned is to use trendelenberg when lifting really heavy patients unless it is contraindicated.

thanks for the comments.

Haha not offended at all.:lol2:Manual handling is a 'pet' subject of mine.I have worked with 'older' nurses,older than me, who's techniques were out of the Ark.I try and keep up with all the latest policies but some of them learned in the 60's and never updated.

Some horrors;

underarm lifts,lifting people by their arms when turning them,one in particular had me out in a cold sweat,taking a patient by the NECK to turn them!!:no:As this patient was Osteoporotic you can imagine the consequences if I had not stopped her.

[NursingAgainstdaOdds]

It sounds like you are taking things kind of personally without cause. (I.E. your frustration w/ people doing things incorrectly and putting your back at risk.) Don't start the lift unless it's safe. If I am working with someone who doesn't use good mechanics, and they are putting more work on me for it, I will jovially correct the situation before it starts. "Pshaw! I'm not freakishly strong like you - I gotta put the bed up.", "Get hold of that sheet, girl, or I'm giving you my patients when I throw my back out!" ... poke a little fun, make them laugh, and do it right. :nuke:

[admorn03]

NURSINGAGAINSTDAODDS, those are good one's and really funny. Advice taken.

thanks for the reply.

[gonzo1, ASN, RN]

I protect my back at all costs. I can't afford to get hurt on the job (or off). I also try to jovially suggest corrections. I have seen more than a few people try to lift people by themselves and always tell them to stop and get help.

No one has ever gotten mad at me for doing so.

My motto is "safety first"

As for the "older nurse" thing. The older nurses I work with can run circles around the younger ones.

Don't you know "fifty is the new thirty"

[nightmare, RN]

I protect my back at all costs. I can't afford to get hurt on the job (or off). I also try to jovially suggest corrections. I have seen more than a few people try to lift people by themselves and always tell them to stop and get help.

No one has ever gotten mad at me for doing so.

My motto is "safety first"

As for the "older nurse" thing. The older nurses I work with can run circles around the younger ones.

Don't you know "fifty is the new thirty"

I wish!!:lol2: