Reduction of injuries associated with patient handling

AAOHN J. 2007 Oct;55(10):407-12. doi: 10.1177/216507990705501003.

Abstract

Nurses experience more back injuries than the general population due to their physically demanding work. Research indicates that the implementation of a comprehensive patient-handling program will reduce the number of patient-handling injuries and associated sequelae. A significant barrier to the effectiveness of safe patient-handling programs includes lack of appropriate and easily accessible equipment for caregivers. Caregivers were questioned to identify changes in the use of and perceptions about patient-handling equipment following the implementation of a patient-handling program at a medium-sized nonprofit community hospital. The study found an increased use of patient-handling equipment by caregivers following the implementation of a patient-handling program, with a significant improvement in the perception of patient-handling equipment. Effective planning to adequately address each of the elements of a comprehensive patient-handling program is essential to program success.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Occupational / prevention & control*
  • Accidents, Occupational / statistics & numerical data
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Back Injuries / epidemiology
  • Back Injuries / etiology
  • Back Injuries / prevention & control*
  • California / epidemiology
  • Education, Nursing, Continuing / organization & administration*
  • Ergonomics
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Humans
  • Inservice Training / organization & administration
  • Lifting* / adverse effects
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Nursing Assistants / education
  • Nursing Assistants / psychology
  • Nursing Education Research
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital* / education
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital* / psychology
  • Occupational Health
  • Organizational Culture
  • Organizational Policy
  • Program Evaluation
  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Safety Management / organization & administration
  • Surveys and Questionnaires