Safe patient handling and movement poll

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Does your hospital have policies regarding "no lifting" or "safe patient handling" that require algorithyms and the use of equipment instead of manual lifting??? Please tell us if you are a VA or non-profit. It is my understanding that most VAs have started these programs. Now, it is being addressed at the nursing home level, but, still, the private hospitals drag their feet.

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No -we do have a lift team however...

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try looking at the uk site, uk nurses dont lift, not only to protect the nurses but to protect the patients. they have hoists and slide sheets and ways of moving people. there is a yearly mandatory training for all employees. it has been proved that the lifting of patients not only hurts the patient but it puts the workforce at risk of injury. I am not in the uk at the present time and the hospital where I work expects all nurses to lift the patients, or to manouver the bed into such a position that the patient can move to the top of the bed easier. as my training was in the uk, I do not participate in any moves that I think put myself or the patient at risk. some nurses dont want to know that there is an easier way, they constantly say that it is too time consuming. these are the same things that were said in the uk 10 years ago, but it works there and it could work here. its more cost effective to have a decent hoist than put patients at risk of pressure sores and lengthened time in hospitals.

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No -we do have a lift team however...

How many people are your lift team??? What rate of pay do they get??? The same as the techs?? What hours do they cover?? How do they get notified of lifts that need to be done??? Who do they report to???

Thanks for any info-----

Do you think it helps?? Do you have equipment available for them to use??? Or is it JUST their muscles???

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

We have a hospital wide No-Lift Team. I was on the hospital committee and we went to the VA in Tampa Florida where this work is being pioneered - very interesting place. If you would like more info - PM me...judi

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We have a hospital wide No-Lift Team. I was on the hospital committee and we went to the VA in Tampa Florida where this work is being pioneered - very interesting place. If you would like more info - PM me...judi

Thanks will do that. Anyone else have lift teams and how do they work???

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