Patient Transfer Assist Devices

1. Patient Transfer Assist Devices

2. Patient Handling • Potential Hazard • Employee exposure to injury from ergonomic stressors during handling, transferring, and repositioning of patients and residents. • Who is Affected? • Hospital, home health care, nursing home and other health care workers (especially nursing assistants) are affected. Descent Control System

3. Why is it important? • Bureau of Labor Statistics for nursing and personal care facilities. • Over 200,000 work-related injuries and illnesses per year. • Many are serious injuries and more than half require time away from work. • Nearly $1 billion per year in workers compensation costs. • Workers in nursing homes are twice as likely to get hurt. • Patient handling is a leading cause for health care injuries.

4. Increased Risks • There is an increased risk if patient handling tasks are: • Repetitive • Done in awkward postures • Done with a lot of force • Done while lifting alone • Done while lifting un-cooperative, confused, or large patients • Done over great distances • Done by employees that have been ineffectively trained Demonstration of Descent Control System on Stairs

5. Possible Solutions • Provide & train employees with assist devices • Minimizes and possibly eliminates manual lifting • Train employees on proper lifting procedures • Create a plan that: • Identifies patient/resident handling hazards • Establishes patient/resident handling criteria

6. Possible Solutions • According to OSHA, the best possible way to reduce patient handling injuries is to minimize and whenever possible, eliminate, manual patient positioning. • This can be done by utilizing the following devices.

7. Assist Devices for Bathrooms • Shower Chairs – fit over toilets, into showers, etc. to eliminate multiple transfers • Shower Stalls with Level Floor Surfaces – allows for easy movement of shower chairs • Toilet Seat Risers – equalizes height of wheelchair and toilet • Bath Cabinets & Adjustable Tubs

8. Assist Devices for Dependent Patients • Sling–Type Full Lift – used to transfer patients that are totally dependent, not limited by a track • Lean-Stand Assist Lift – used to transfer patients that have some lifting ability, not limited by a track • Ceiling Mounted Lift Device – used to transfer patients that are totally dependent, limited by a track • To reduce the chances of a repetitive strain disorder, use an electric device instead of one that requires manual pumping.

9. Assist Devices for Lateral Transfers • Sliding Boards – a slick board used to move patients laterally, reduces need for lifting • Slip Sheets/Roller Sheets – “slick” sheets used to move patients laterally, reduces need for lifting • Some new systems are mechanical and require no lifting

10. Assist Devices for Repositioning • Height Adjustable Electric Beds – eases transfer to wheelchairs and interaction with staff, can be lowered for patient safety, preferred to manual versions • Trapeze Lifts – allows patients with upper body strength to reposition

11. Assist Devices for Movement • Walking or Gait Belts – allows workers to hold onto belt providing stabilization, not designed to lift patients • Wheelchairs with Removable Arms – allows easier lateral transfers, good with height adjustable beds • Sitting-Standing Wheelchairs – allows sitting to standing options for patients and workers • Decent Control System (DCS) – used to move patients from a building in an emergency

12. Miscellaneous Assist Devices • Roll on Weight Scale – allows patients to be weighed in their wheel chairs, eliminates lifting. • Pivot Transfer Disk Devices – allows cooperative patients to be pivoted. • Back Belts – reduces risk of back injury, does not allow worker to lift more weight. • Remember – it’s difficult to safely lift a patient, even with help, and impossible to safely lift a patient alone. • For more assist devices visit www.osha.gov.

13. Proper Lifting Techniques • Study the “load” before your lift • Use help when needed • Use assist devices when possible • When lifting • Stand close to the load • Keep your back straight • Get a good grip • Lift with your legs

14. Patient Care Plans • A written plan that describes: • Specific patient needs • Degree of assistance required • Special treatments • Possible scenarios • Color coding patient lift requirements at bedside • Separate patients based on needs • Staggered staffing

15. Caregiver assistance not needed; patient may/may not use positioning aid. YES If patient is >200 pounds: Use a friction-reducing device and at least 3 caregivers. Can Patient Assist? Some Encourage patient to help using a positioning aid orcues. NO If patient is <200 pounds: Use a friction-reducing device and 2-3 caregivers. Use full-body sling lift -or- friction-reducing device and 2 or more caregivers. Patient Care Plans • A good place to visit for examples of patient care plans and patient evaluation protocol is http://www.osha.gov/ergonomics/guidelines/nursinghome/

16. Summary Points • Patient handling is a leading cause of injuries for healthcare workers • Avoid risks that increase chance of injury • Possible solutions • Use assist devices • Train employees how to lift properly • Create a written plan that • Identifies hazards • Establishes handling criteria