ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS

With the increase of safe patient handling (SPH) legislation, acute care facilities are beginning to recognize the need for a successful SPH program.  Successful programs will not only meet legislation requirements but impact financial outcomes of the facility and  increase caregiver job satisfaction.  Hospitals who implement SPH programs are protecting workers from painful injuries while  allowing them to safely reposition and transfer their patients. If  caregivers are able to both perform their jobs and enjoy their family because they do not live with chronic pain, everyone wins.

 

Prevent, Inc. has found the most successful hospital safe patient handling programs are those that:

1. Have a Chief Nurse OfficerCNO - The CNO needs to make it clear to everyone that this is an important initiative that will benefit both patients and staff and that the investment is well worth the effort. In addition the CNO also needs to be sure that the initiative has the support of the entire senior team who plays a central role in promoting the patient handling program.

2. Designate a task forceA group of people in the organization who are passionate about SPH and have knowledge of the organization, and can rally people around the cause. to include nurse managers, radiology representatives, education staff who will be responsible for overseeing the implementation and follow up of the Safe Patient Handling Program.

3. Hire experts to assess the patient handling equipmentPrevent, Inc will recommend the right amount and type of patient handling equipment. needs.

4. Develop a Safe Patient Handling Policy and ProcedurePrevent, Inc's service includes a working meeting to develop the first draft of the policy. customized for the organization.

5. Develop a marketing strategyPrevent, Inc provides articles, resources and marketing products to achieve this goal. to inform caregivers, patients and the community of the benefits of the progam.

6. Provide a computer basedPrevent, Inc's internet based module is customized to provide an overview of the hospital's policy and procedure, and brief videos of the equipment function. introductory module regarding the structure and expectations of the Safe Patient Handling program for all caregivers.

7. Provide hands-on trainingPrevent, Inc's program provides training modules for all areas of the hospital - all training is done by professional nurses. Return demonstrations to validate competency are a must! with patient scenarios for all caregivers.

8. Reinforce hands-on training by mentoring caregiversEach follow-up visit, Prevent, Inc's professional nurses provide hands-on support to the caregivers. at the bedside and by integrating the patient handling equipment into the plan of care.

9. Review/audit established Best PracticesPrevent, Inc provides organizations with tools and resources to monitor the effectiveness of the processes. Follow-up visits are designed to develop action plans for areas which need strengthening. of the program frequently to maintain effectiveness.

10. Celebrate the successesThe Prevent, Inc Best Practice report includes the "Good Things". These are the positive statements made by caregivers, patients, and/or community regarding the Safe Patient Handling Program.   

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