Ergonomic Guidelines for the Nursing Home Industry

1. Ergonomic Guidelines for the Nursing Home Industry

2. THE PROBLEM Musculoskeletal injuries account for more than 50% of all lost times injuries in the Healthcare Industry Greater than 750,000 work days are lost annually due to back injuries in Healthcare Sector

3. OTHER FACTS In one 8-hr. shift the cumulative weight a Nurse/Aide, etc., lifts is�. 1.8 Tons

4. What Can You Do to Reduce Your Risk of MSDs? Conduct a hazard or risk assessment Assess the patient Assess & prepare the environment Get necessary equipment & help Perform the patient care task, lift or movement safely Plan and Prepare � It only takes a minute but can save a career

5. NIOSH Lifting Equation Applied toPatient Handling Activities Even using the NIOSH Lifting Equation, the threshold limits for injury are exceeded when performing patient handling tasks.

6. NIOSH Determined that � day of training was not effective in minimizing MSD�s associated with patient lifting. 1 to 1.5 days of training better

7. OTHER FACTS American Nurses Association is currently pushing for a national law governing safe lifting practices and standards at the National level. Gait belts have been banned from use several European countries

8. LIFTS NOT ALLOWED UK, Austria, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, S Africa, British Columbia do not allow� Under the axilla lift; hook and toss; lift with patients� arms around nurse�s neck, etc.

9. Goal of Ergonomic Evaluation, Design, and Intervention Increase Efficiency Increase Productivity Increase Quality Decrease Cost WHILE.....

10. Goal of Ergonomic Evaluation, Design, and Intervention Decrease Injury/Illness Lost work day rates Restricted work day rates OSHA reportable rates Workers� compensation costs Decrease Fatigue Decrease Absenteeism Decrease Turnover

11. Ergonomic Guidelines for the Nursing Home Industry Why are we doing this: OSHA�s Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders � Recommendations to help reduce number and severity SB 1525 � Safe Patient Handling and Movement Practices Promote and achieve as much as possible, a �ZERO� lift attitude in the work place dealing with �PEOPLE�

12. Senate Bill - 1525 Effective January 1, 2006 Governing body/Assurance Committee shall adopt and ensure implementation of a policy to identify, assess, and develop strategies to control risk of injury to patients and nurses associated with lifting, transferring, repositioning, or movement of a patient. Analysis of risk of injury to both parties posed by patient handling Education of nurses in the identification, assessment and control of risks

13. Senate Bill � 1525 (cont.) Evaluation of alternative ways to reduce risks associated with patient handling Restriction, to the extent feasible with existing equipment and aids, of manual patient handling or movement of all or moist of a patients weight Collaboration with and annual report to the nurse staffing committee Procedures for nurses to refuse to perform or be involved in patient handling or movement that the nurse believes in good faith will expose a patient or nurse to an unacceptable risk of injury� 

14. Senate Bill � 1525 (cont.) Submission of an annual report related to the identification, assessment, and development of strategies to control risk of injury associated with lifting, transferring, repositioning, or movement of a patient In developing architectural plans for constructing or remodeling a hospital or nursing home in which patient handling and movement occurs, consideration of the feasibility of incorporating patient handling equipment, etc.

15. BLS STATISTICS (2004) American Nurses Association survey found 83% worked in spite of back pain 60% fear a disabling back injury 38% require time off during their career due to back pain In 2000 resulted in time away from work for 10,983 RN�s 44,854 in nursing aides, orderlies, etc., experienced overexertion in lifting related incidents

16. NO LIFT Technology We need to address a �no lift� process in Nursing Homes when it comes to lifting/moving/transferring of residents/clients, etc. This can be accomplished by use of any of the following: Hoyer Lifts Sit/Stand Hoist Use of shower chairs Ceiling mounted lift devices Ambulation assist device Geri or Cardiac Chairs Stand Assist Devices Lift Chairs Transfer Boards

17. The Process, Step By Step Evaluate Injuries and Costs Obtain Approval For Funding Establish A Lifting Committee Evaluate and Select Equipment Resident/Family Notification Receive and Prep Equipment Training Resident Assessment Coordination with Other Staff Enforcement Performance Measurement Evaluate Efforts Regularly Don�t necessarily have to go in this process order.Don�t necessarily have to go in this process order.

18. Establish A Lifting Committee CNA based committee Select outgoing CNA�s 45 minute meeting per week Food, fun, praise Leader has budget authority, is committed to project, and is a motivator