Sample Policy: Safe Patient Handling Policy

Safe Patient Handling Checklist

Hazards

PTs and OTS perform frequent lifting and repositioning of patients during treatment procedures and transfers. PTs and OTs are at an increased risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) (i.e., strain and sprain injuries to back and shoulders areas), while performing tasks that are:

• Repetitive (i.e., performed frequently without adequate time to recover);
• Performed in awkward postures (e.g., twisting, bending to the side, back hyperextension of the flexion, reaching across the patient beds);
• Performed with awkward postures fixed over a period of time (e.g., holding the arm out straight for several minutes, which contributes to muscle and tendon fatigue and joint soreness);
• Performed with a great deal of force (e.g., repositioning a physically dependent patient, or pushing chairs or gurneys across elevation changes or up ramps while transferring a patient to or from physical therapy sessions);
• A combination these factors.

Other risk factors include:

• Overexertion (e.g., trying to stop a patient from falling or picking a patient up from the floor or bed).
• Lifting uncooperative and/or confused patients.
• Lifting patients who cannot support their own weight.
• Lifting and/or repositioning very heavy patients (bariatric patients).
• Distance the patient is being moved, and the distance the patient is from the employee, (e.g., it is more stressful to reach away from the body to lift or pull a patient).
• Focusing on body mechanics and lifting techniques instead of providing mechanical lifting devices.

Recognized Controls and Work Practices

Safe Patient Handling Programs and policies that limit or prohibit manual lifting have been shown to be effective in reducing MSDs in hospital and nursing staff. Research has shown that the use of mechanical lifting equipment and a Safe Patient Handling Program can significantly reduce injuries to hospital staff.

Minimize manual lifting of patients in all cases and eliminate manual lifting when possible. Focusing solely on “proper body mechanics" during lifting is not sufficient to prevent MSDs.