lifting correctly?

TiggerBelly · Feb 20, 2008

I work on a rehab floor (for pts recovering from strokes and broken bones) and I do a lot of moderate to heavy lifting. not too long ago a lady hurt her back lifting a pt and I want to be sure the same thing doesn't happen to me. anyone have any advice on how to lift people that can barely ambulate?

Our hospital has policies in place which are to prevent us from lifting therefore preventing us from hurting our backs. We have several different peices of equipment ,which, depending on what the patient can do, will determine which type we use (ex- if the patient can bear weight on both legs, one leg, non weight bearing). I would ask to see if any equipment is available to you and asked to be in-serviced on it. If not then I would say to ALWAYS ask for help. It doesn't matter if the patient is 80lbs soaking wet, twist the wrong way and you will feel it. When pulling patients up in bed, elevate the bed to your height instead of you bending over the patient and pulling (same for when you bathe them).

Hope you get more suggestions. Good luck

4x4country · Feb 20, 2008

I work on a rehab floor (for pts recovering from strokes and broken bones) and I do a lot of moderate to heavy lifting. not too long ago a lady hurt her back lifting a pt and I want to be sure the same thing doesn't happen to me. anyone have any advice on how to lift people that can barely ambulate?

if you work in a lifting enviornment, you should lift with your muscles in your legs, not your back. Use the muscles that you have and build them up! Never lift with your back. To properly lift with your legs, bend at the knees and hips, and take a step to the direction your moving. Standing in the same spot will only twist your back, which will hurt badly.

There are many facilities that are no lift, they use hoyers and sara lifts. If you do not know what these are, they are machines to aid in the lifting process.

Simply put --use your leg muscles and take a step in the direction you are moving. :twocents:

lpnornot · Jul 4, 2008

Osha, CBC, american vets say that lifting greater than 35lbs of a pt even ergonimcally ie wiht good body mechanics is damaging to your spine. You won't feel it at first but the damage is being done. Heavy research on this. Check it out yourself from thier sites.

Amer nurses assoc(ANA) calls for no manual lifting becsue the 35lb estmate is based on reserch on lifting boxes of 50lbs. you can't translate that to human beings who can get combattive, you can't always hold them close to you, they can get muscle spasms, resist the transfer/lift.

All 4 emphasize heavy reliance on mechanical devices for safe pt handling.

Be very careful. 200 lbs immoblie pt even wiht 4 people assisting, thats 50 lbs each, and weight burdens shift so more than 50 on some of them.