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 Every day, nurses and caregivers suffer life-altering injuries from repeatedly lifting and moving patients.
Relative to other industries, healthcare workers are disproportionately susceptible to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among worker's compensation claims. According to the ANA, a nurse lifts an average of 1.8 tons of body weight during an eight hour shift. Injured nurses contribute to about one-fourth of all claims and one-third of total compensation costs. In order to prevent injury and protect nurses’ wellbeing in the workplace, health care facilities need to implement sound ergonomics programs.
Safe patient handling is the term referring to policies and programs that enable nurses to move patients in a way that does not cause strain or injury. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that manual lifting of patients be minimized in all cases and eliminated when feasible and that employers should put an effective ergonomics process in place that provides management, involves employees, identifies problems, implements solutions, addresses injury reports, provides training, and evaluates ergonomic efforts. A minimal or “no-lift” lift program is designed to limit and remove as much lifting as possible.
Heightened consciousness and advocacy have resulted in improved ergonomic environments. But even when using the most sophisticated lift devices, patients have to be maneuvered into position and lifted on to slings. These awkward movements lend to caregiver injuries due to ill positioned lifting that accentuates musculoskeletal strain—until the AgileLife Transfer and Living System was introduced. Now there is a truly “no lift” solution that benefits caregivers.
For almost two decades, the American Nurses Association (ANA) has been leading the fight on behalf of registered nurses, health care workers and patients to eliminate manual patient handling. The nation – now facing a serious nursing shortage – can no longer afford to lose the nurses who leave the profession annually due to musculoskeletal injuries and pain.
ANA will continue to be actively engaged on Capitol Hill representing the interests of America's 3.1 million registered nurses. However, members of Congress need to hear from YOU! Join the fight for safe patient handling by becoming a member of ANA's Safe Patient Handling Team.
Join ANA’s Safe Patient Handling Team and play a part in helping to improve the safety of nurses and their patients!
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