Scholarly Product Proposal: Safe Patient Handling

Justification: Transfer, repositioning, as well as ambulation considerations are critical for not only patient comfort, but also employee safety given the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) associated with patient handling tasks. Many employees find it challenging to work in the spine unit where patients with spinal cord injury and related problems need significant physical support and treatment. This is more so the case given that spinal cord injury (SCI) impedes patients’ movements and affects their sensation. The risk of injury to patient care providers is often a direct consequence of patient handling tasks associated with the repeated performance of patient repositioning, ambulating, as well as lifting and transferring tasks. In the words of Teeple, Collins, Shrestha, Dennerlein, Losins, and Katz (2017), “lifting demands for patient care workers frequently exceed the 35 pound safe lifting limit recommended for patient handling activities…” (174). Many nurses on the floor complain of back-pains and recently, a new grad nurse hurt her back in the line of duty. The relevance of appropriate handling mechanisms cannot, therefore, be overstated.

Objectives: To identify the impact failure to implement well-defined safe patent handling practices has on work injury costs

To gain consensus on the need for a safe patient handling and movement (SPHM) program so as to reduce instances of MSD.

Outcomes: Provide awareness to employees on contemporary safe patient handling concerns, and highlight several evidence-based practices and approaches that should be embraced when working with spine injured patients.

Sample Group: The sample group will be inclusive of …..

Risks and Issues: Participation in this study presents no foreseeable risks to participants.

References

Teeple, E., Collins, J.E., Shrestha, S., Dennerlein, J.T., Losins, E. & Katz, J.N. (2017). Outcomes of Safe Patient Handling and Mobilization Programs: A Meta-Analysis. Work, 58(2), 173-184.