Every safe patient handling program starts with training. Our training is designed to demonstrate to nurses and other patient care workers the proper application and use of safe patient handling equipment. Patient lift training is required within the MINNESOTA STATUTE 182.6553 SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAM. The goal of this statute is to minimize manual lifting of patients by nurses and other direct patient care workers by utilizing safe patient handing equipment.
Training should be implemented at the time of hire of a new employee, when new equipment is purchased, after an incident has occurred and periodically thereafter – this time frame is based on observed need and requests for training.
SMI provides patient lift training to meet the needs of your safe patient handling program. We serve the entire state of Minnesota. Our training program includes traveling to your location and training your staff on your safe patient handling equipment. Let us help you, we keep track of when your periodic training is due and send a reminder, then we work with you to find convenient scheduled times to train your staff.
Safe Patient Handling Lift Training
OVER 30 years of research and experience shows that relying on proper body mechanics or manual lifting techniques alone is not effective to reduce back and other musculoskeletal injuries.
A comprehensive safe patient handling program that combines management commitment, employee involvement, policies, mechanical equipment, training, and maintenance is needed.
Patient education can reinforce that the lift is for the patient’s safety as well as the caregivers. Patient handling equipment can help prevent patient falls, bruises, and skin tears. Studies have shown that patients feel more comfortable and secure when a mechanical transfer device is used.
It can take much longer to round up a team of coworkers to manually lift a patient than to find and use the proper lifting equipment. It has been noticed that using mechanical devices to transfer patients takes fewer personnel and about five minutes less, overall, than manual transfers.
Hazards Associated with Patient Lifts
Hazard description – Areas of highest risk for lifting injuries
Identify the types of risk factors with the associated care activities and areas where injury potential exists. Resident-specific and task-specific assessments will likely be necessary to identify all potential injury risk factors.
Assessment of safe-patient-handling–hazards –
The safe-patient-handling committee will actively participate in a facility-wide patient handling hazard assessment for [name of hospital] that considers the patient handling tasks, types of nursing units, nurse staffing for each unit, patient populations and the physical environment of patient care areas. Hazard assessment forms are included with this program; one form provides a general facility assessment and one form is more specific to a patient or work area.
Each patient will be assessed for safe-patient-handling needs during the admission process to our facility and for each relevant activity in the care delivery process. The information from this assessment will be contained in the care plan for each patient and the care plan will identify the safe-patient-handling requirements for that individual.
Completed written hazards assessments will be maintained with a master copy of the written safe-patient-handling program.
Hazard description – areas of highest risk for lifting injuries
Identify the types of risk factors with the associated care activities and areas where injury potential exists. Patient-specific and task-specific assessments will likely be necessary to identify all potential injury risk factors.
Examples:
- Several patient rooms [identify] present the highest risk for patient-handling-related injuries due to the existing room layout restricting easy access to the patient’s bed, resulting in awkward postures combined with forceful exertions. [Elaborate as needed.]
- The patient bathroom doors are 32 inches wide and do not provide enough clearance for a lift to get through. The spatial design of the bathroom also presents a problem with the location of the toilet, the presence of a grab bar, plus the amount of space available for the patient and a staff member is very limited.
- The patient is cooperative, but cannot consistently bear weight during transfers.
Hazard controls – solutions for the problem
Identify what control measures will be used to limit the manual lifting and moving of patients.
Examples:
- Arrange/limit existing furniture to maintain adequate clearance on at least one side and the foot of the bed.
- Widen the bathroom doors, if feasible. In the interim, to reduce the likelihood of injuries associated with patient handling, during toileting, patients requiring more than minimal assistance or the use of a sit-to-stand or floor-based lift will be toileted in the communal bathroom or a commode chair will be used.
- Use a full-assist lift to lift transfer unpredictable patients
Only trained and authorized persons can operate a patient lift.
Training Recommendations
Training of nurses and other direct patient care workers will be provided to demonstrate proper application and use of available safe-patient-handling equipment. The training will be conducted initially – and periodically thereafter – based on observed need or requests for training. Training will demonstrate how equipment can be used, proper methods for use and proper application for use relative to the care activity provided. Training records will be maintained and will include the dates training was conducted, the name and title of the person who conducted the training, the names and job titles of employees who completed the training and a brief summary or outline of the information included in the training session. The training records for safe-patient-handling will be maintained with this program. Create a safe-patient-handling program training log. Create a safe-patient-handling program annual review log.
Retraining = Periodic Training.
The following are recommendations of what to do prior to operating a patient lift. These are topics we cover in our safe patient handling training.
Contact SMI for your patient lift training quote: 507-247-3742 or sales@southernminnesotainspection.com
Task description – patient-handling task
Patients Physical Capabilities
- Check patient’s weight and physical condition; use manufacturer’s guidelines to make sure lift is appropriate.
- Check to see if patient can assist with transfer.
Patient’s medical condition
- Make sure you have correct lift and sling for patient’s condition.
- Ensure the lift will not make the patient’s condition worse.
Patient’s mental status
- If alert, ensure patient can understand and follow instructions.
- Make sure patient is ready to be placed in a lift.
- The use of a patient lift should be avoided if the patient is agitated, resistant or combative.
- Determine how many caregivers are required to safely lift the patient.
Identify the specific tasks involved during patient care, such as:
- Lateral transfer of patient in the emergency department.
- Transferring patients to bed or gurney.
- Transferring patients to chair or commode.
- Bed repositioning.
- Walking with patient.
- Lifting a patient up from the floor.
- Weighing a patient.
- Bathing a patient in bed.
- Undressing or dressing a patient.
- Transferring a patient to stand from bed or chair to walker.
- Lifting or repositioning a patient to the head of the bed.
- Repositioning a patient in bed from side to side; or assisting a patient to or from a vehicle.
Patient Lift components – know your lift
- Sling Bar
- Sling Attachment points
- Push handles
- Boom
- Battery Pack
- Emergency Release
- Remote Control
- Spreader Handle
- Mast
- Base or legs
- Locking wheels
Do not operate any Patient Lift if any of these components are defective until it is repaired by a qualified person. Remove defective Patient lifts from service (tag out) until repairs are made.
Using the wrong sling or attaching the sling incorrectly may cause an accident that can result in serious injury or death.
Choosing proper sling and sling bar -To increase patient safety, use the correct type and size of sling for your patient. Select sling and sling bar based on manufacturer recommendations for the following criteria:
- Only use a sling specifically designed for your lift.
- Type of transfer task.
- Patient’s medical condition.
- Patient’s size and weight.
- Pressure sensitivity.
Select Patients Sling Size
- Assess patient’s size, weight, and hip measurement.
- Choose size of sling based on manufacturer recommendation for patient’s measurements.
- Choosing correct sling size is critical for safe patient transfer.
- Sling is too large – Patient may slip out.
- Sling is too small – Patient may fall out. Sling may worsen patient’s condition.
- If between sizes – Smaller size may keep patient more secure.
Sling Bars
- Use a sling bar that is appropriate for the patient’s size.
- Choose sling bar/sling combination that will place patient at a safe angle.
- Only use sling with correct clip or loop attachment type for the sling bar.
- Need for full back support.
- Need for head support.
- Need for padding.
- Patient’s preferred or medically appropriate positions .
- Some medical conditions such as stroke, orthopedic conditions, amputations, or certain wounds may affect sling choice.
Prepare Environment
Determine number of caregivers needed:
- Most lifts require two or more caregivers to safely operate lift and handle patient.
Position lift and receiving surface:
- Move lift base legs near or around patient’s device.
- Base legs are usually more stable in fully open position.
- Position lift and receiving surface at correct height to transfer patient easily.
Clear path for lift:
- Ensure there is space for lift to pivot and move freely to receiving area.
- Ensure lift can fit under or around receiving surface and through doorways.
Prepare Equipment
- Ensure battery is charged for transfer.
- Test lift controls before bringing lift to patient.
- Make sure the emergency release feature works.
- Ensure receiving surface is stable and locked.
- Ensure slings, hooks, chains, straps, and supports are available, appropriate, and correctly sized.
- Check lift and sling weight limits.
- Ensure patient’s weight does not exceed the limits.
- Examine sling and attachment areas for tears, holes, and frayed seams.
- DO NOT USE sling with any signs of wear.
Place Patient in Sling
- Position center of sling under patient’s spine.
- Place leg straps flat under patient; do not let material fold.
- Make sure sling opening is not large enough to let patient slip out or too small to let patient fall out.
- Lower sling bar down to patient. Do not let sling bar hit patient.
- Attach sling straps to sling bar as directed by manufacturer.
- Use matching loops from each side to ensure sling is balanced.
- Choose loops that provide best angle and position for patient.
- Ensure all clips or loops are secure and will stay attached as patient is lifted.
- Ensure straps are not twisted.
- Ensure patient’s head and/or back is supported, if needed.
Perform Safety Check before lifting the patient
- Examine all hooks and fasteners to ensure they will not unhook during use.
- Double-check position and stability of straps and other equipment before lifting patient.
- Ensure clips, latches and bars are securely fastened and structurally sound.
- For electric lifts, make sure batteries are always charged.
Lift the Patient
Lift patient two inches off the surface to make sure patient is secure. Check the following:
- Sling straps are confined by guard on sling bar and will not disengage.
- Weight is spread evenly between straps.
- Patient will not slide out of sling or tip backward or forward.
Check patient’s comfort:
- Make sure sling does not pinch or pull patient’s skin.
- Ask if patient is comfortable.
- Look for non-verbal signs of discomfort.
Slowly lift patient, only as high as necessary to complete transfer. Check the following:
- Patient is still comfortable.
- Sling will not hurt patient’s skin.
Do not leave patient unattended while in lift. Never keep patient suspended in sling for more than a few minutes.
Lowering the Patient
- Use gentle hands-on pressure to guide patient as you slowly move lift toward receiving surface.
- Slowly lower patient toward receiving surface. Move patient’s body into correct position on receiving surface before releasing patient’s weight.
- Release patient’s weight. Do not let sling bar hit patient.
- Detach sling from lift using manufacturer’s instructions.
- Carefully remove sling from patient’s body, if necessary.
- Be careful not to hurt patient’s skin.
- Ensure that seated patients do not fall forward as sling is removed.
- If power fails, use the emergency release to lower patient manually.
Sling Care
- Do not share slings between patients unless slings are properly washed and disinfected.
- Disinfect and scrub areas that contact patient’s skin.
- Do not bleach.
- Do not iron.
- Air dry only.
- Do not machine dry.
- Throw away used disposable slings.
- Follow manufacturer sanitation and wash instructions. Remove metal or plastic reinforcements if required.
Observation of gait-belt transfers
The SPH committee should conduct observations of gait-belt transfers to determine that residents are being transferred as care plans indicate and to ensure they are not being lifted by staff members. This is observation only and not hands-on; provide coaching and mentoring as needed during the observations.
Patient Lift Care
- Follow manufacturer instructions to clean and disinfect lift.
- Always clean lift before and after each patient use.
- Disinfect all lift surfaces.
- Wipe off traces of disinfectant.
- Clean motor casings and ceiling tracks if using an overhead lift.
Standards that Apply
OSHA Standards: 182.6553 SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAM.
Articles 2007 c 135 art 2 s 25; 1Sp2011 c 4 art 3 s 2; 2015 c 54 art 5 s 1,2
Additional Information:
Mechanism to report, track and analyze injury trends
Employees should report any injury or illness to their supervisor. The supervisor will complete a workers’ compensation first report of injury or illness form. Safe-patient-handling injuries and illnesses will be tracked using the OSHA 300 logs and the workers’ compensation first report of injury and illness form.
OSHA has a variety of publications, standards, technical assistance, and compliance tools to help you. OSHA also offers extensive assistance through workplace consultations, grants, strategic partnerships, state plans, training, and education. OSHA’s Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines (54 Federal Register 3904-3916, January 26, 1989) detail elements critical to the development of a successful safety and health program.
Contact SMI for your patient lift training quote: 507-247-3742 or sales@southernminnesotainspection.com
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