no lift policy

[PGH70]

My hospital is going to a NO LIFT POLICY. They bought thousands of dollars worth of fancy equipment to try to accomplish this. Does anyone out there have this policy. I'm sure we are not trendsetters. Its a good thing, but they told us if we are injured lifting without using the equipment properly, we will compromise our workman's comp.

that is not a good thing.....thanks

[Cubby]

We have a no lift policy. Yes, it does cut down on injuries.IF USED PROPERLY. It takes no more time to use the lifts than it does putting residents/patients in bed the old fashioned way. Our CNAs tend to not use them (which results in a reprimand) when we are "staffing challenged" (Not allowed to say 'short staffed')

That is where the injuries come from,and yes it does impact the WC status. Good luck. Let me know if they work for your facility.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

We dont have a policy like that however it wouldnt surprise me if it doesnt becomes a trend. Most likely spurred by the insurance companies wanting to decrease cost of WC. I would guess your facility has been sold a bill of goods from the insurance company that says that the costs of the equipment will be covered in a minimal amount of time from savings in WC cases and lawsuits following WC cases.

Then i also see this as defeating for staff considering the time needed to utilize machines that have to be moved from room to room and most likely hunted down when they arent returned to their proper places. IF they purchased enough equipment for each wing and IF it is kept in proper working order so people arent having to run to another wing to borrow something it could make a job a lot easier. But i wonder how long it would take them to call in for repair service if something wasnt working, and what would they tell you, wait until C wing isnt using theirs and go borrow it until we can get someone in here to repair the damaged one.

I hope it works out for your facility.

[donmurray]

Used properly, the equipment saves staff pain and suffering in later life. You need training in its proper use before you use it, and even if it does take longer, don't be tempted into putting yourself at risk. You have to CYA as well as management does. If there are not enough machines, then the "savings" won't be made to cover the investment, and if the maintenance is inadequate, then of course you will write it up as a policy breach. You can't do the job (as they defined it) without the tools. Embrace this change, your back will love you!

[OrthoNutter]

We have a no lift policy at the hospital I'm at now and I think it's great. We only perform lifts in groups of 4-6 (depending on the pts wt) and that is only allowed in an emergency situation where we can't use the lifter (ie the toilet, shower etc). The only thing about it is you need plenty of room to use the lifters. So depending on what your ward set-up is like, it may prove more difficult. Some of the wardsmen (people, whatever) and nurse's aides still do it the old fashioned way but if they hurt themselves, then tough. The only reason why a patient should be lifted manually now is if there's an emergency...and should you injure yourself during and emergency lift, then that's ok because compo will cover you. They just won't if it's for a routine lift and you just chose not to use the lifting equipment provided.

Make sense?