ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS

Often, Prevent, Inc. is asked, "how do you achieve caregiver compliance with the handling devices?"  Caregiver compliance with the use of handling devices is directly related to caregiver competence with the use of the handling devices at the bedside.  To develop the caregiver's skills, Prevent, Inc.'s support is approximately 10%  training and 80% mentoring of the caregivers at the bedside.

According to the Center of Disease Control the average American weighs more than 160 pounds.  Mobilization of patients is critical to the healing process and sustaining health.  An effective safe handling program will physically enable caregivers to safely mobilize all patients.  The integration of handling devices into the plan of care will enhance clinical outcomes.

Prevent, Inc. has identified that the following practices create the most effective and sustainable  safe handling programs:

1. 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 promotes safe handling practices as an expected part of the standard of care.

2. A SPH task force.  A group of people in the organization who are passionate about SPH and have knowledge of the organization, and can rally people around the cause. includes nurse managers, radiology representatives, education, transport staff, risk management responsible for overseeing the implementation and follow up of the Safe Handling Program.

3. Experts who do not sell or manufacture handling equipmentPrevent, Inc will recommend the right amount and type of patient handling equipment. to project the organization's needs.

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

5. Integration of safe handling practices into the pain, skin integrity and fall risk interventions.

6. Marketing strategy which ensures Prevent, Inc provides articles, resources and marketing products to achieve tcaregivers, patients and the community understand the purpose and benefits of the program.

7.  Hands-on SPH trainingPrevent, Inc's program provides training modules for all areas of the hospital - all training is done by professional nurses. Return demonstrations to validate skills                      for all caregivers prior to patient care.

8. Super users trained and mentored to offer resources to their designated areas.

9. Mentoring caregiversEach follow-up visit, Prevent, Inc's professional nurses provide hands-on support to the caregivers. at the bedside on the use of handling devices as a part of the orientation training.

10. Evaluate 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. reviews of the integrity of the SPH systems frequently to monitor and enhance effectiveness.

Updated: 04/10

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