Using my own tools for care?

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I recently started working p/t as a CNA in a nursing home. I've been reading a lot of posts on this site, and it seems that even with proper body mechanics, the job is really rough on your back.

Most of my patients require diaper changes, and I have problems with completing them especially with heavy patients. I had one woman who was 165lbs. (which I consider light for an able-bodied person) but since she couldn't really help with turning, it took me almost 1/2 hour, plus lots of rolling her back and forth, which I know couldn't have been comfortable for her. And even though my shift was on Saturday, it's Wednesday and my back is still killing me!

i recently found a product called L@vin Lift Straps, which you strap on the patients above the knee and then lift their lower body with a hoyer lift. I think they would increase patient comfort and decrease my back strain and changing time-it lifts the patients' bottoms like when you change a baby. If I got them, I'd use the following methods to prevent contamination: I'd use a towel or pillowcase as a barrier between strap and skin, cover the strapped on straps with a plastic bag, wipe down with alcohol between uses and wash after every shift.

My nursing home seems to be pretty laissez-faire, and people don't seem to care how you do things as long as the job gets done. This is NOT saying I want to cut corners-I don't! But I think this technique would be good for both me and the patients, and the hoyer lifts are rarely used on shift-maybe 1 or 2 times between 45-50 patients.

Does this sound like a good or a bad idea? I don't have the experience to determine if this is innovative or out of line.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

It sounds like something that should be proposed to your manager rather than you simply going out and purchasing your own. Bringing in some completely new piece of equipment (even if it's "just a strap") is something that needs to be evaluated, educated on, and used properly by staff. You're not getting the education piece if you go out and buy one on your own. The facility has no chance to evaluate it for safety, updating policy, and looking at cost/benefit.

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Thank you. I will bring this up to the nurse on duty at my next shift. I don't want to get in trouble, go against policy...or waste almost $200 on a product if I can't use it!

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I'm a bit confused why the beds aren't set in such a way that it's easier to roll people... I truly don't mean to speak ill of your job performance but I know that I (& most coworkers) can roll & change disabled people up to 200ish pounds. Sure it's not super easy but even with our constant work & past back issues (it seems most people have injured a back muscle at one point or another, luckily for me my back injury wasn't job related) we don't absolutely have to have another aide present to complete the work. Maybe ask around, visit other homes, shadow coworkers, see what they're doing that you're not.

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Specializes in Long term care.

You are much better off if you strengthen your upper arms, legs and do back stretches before/during/ and after your shift.

You will be amazed at how much a few push up every day will help you with turning residents and save your back.

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