Manual Patient Handling Transfers Threaten Nurses’ Occupational Safety

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Current patient transfer system
Proposed change
Supporting literature
Human resource implications
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The healthcare industry is regarded as one of the mainstays of a country’s economy. The industry is responsible for ensuring a healthy workforce that is vital for the nation’s stability. The caregivers commit to this role and dedicate their lives to ensure they keep their medical oath. Nurses are in this category and their primary role is to provide adequate care to patients. The management of patient transfers is one of the roles in nurses’ job description. They are tasked with moving and lifting patients, either from their beds to chairs or vice versa. They also provide support to patients who are too weak to stand on their own. One may not realize the tremendous impact this procedure has on nurses’ lives. According to Cox (2009), nurses suffer debilitating harm from this daily task as it can cause musculoskeletal issues and in extreme cases, bring an end to their careers. Professionals in the health industry suffer more from back and arm injuries than individuals in other industries (Hall, 2005). However, this fact has not been taken into consideration by government regulators and hospital administrations to prevent this occupational risk.

Current patient transfer system

Patients may be required to move around the hospital during room transfers as well as part of their physical therapy. As indicated above, nurses are tasked with handling patients as per their job description. This ranges from lifting patients, turning them when administering medication and also providing support while they walk. This task takes a toll on their physical well-being. In some cases, nurses may be required to handle patients who are twice their size. The extra weight causes muscular strain, more notably, on the back and arm sections. The daily undertaking of this procedure is considered dangerous to nurses’ well-being as it has led to development of musculoskeletal disorders. The Occupational Health and Safety Association (OSHA) recommends for the reduction of manual patient transfers in light of feasible alternatives by a health institution.

A change from the manual system will witness increased efficiency. Nurses will be able to undertake patient transfers in a manner that does not cause harm to the patient or the caregiver. In addition, the improved patient handling procedure will create a better environment for patients thereby facilitating faster recoveries. In light of the dangers posed by the manual system, life-threatening ailments to the caregiver as well as patients will be drastically reduced upon the adoption of an improved alternative.

Proposed change

As indicated above, the most popular work-related strain in the nursing profession is back pain as a result of patient transfer activities. Therefore, the change from a manual system of such transfers to an efficient engineered process will witness the reduction of back-related illnesses popular amongst the nursing fraternity, as well as improve the overall patient handling process. Therefore, hospitals should incorporate technology in processes involving patient transfers. In this case, the adaption of ceiling mounted lifts will facilitate vertical transfers without the need for manual intervention. This technique allows for patients to be suspended by an overhead cable without the need to be moved by the caregivers. Nurses can therefore cover the area beneath the cable and can adequately move the patient from the floor to bed/chair and vice versa

Supporting literature

According to Charney (2009), the incorporation of technology in health care has revolutionized the industry through the introduction of groundbreaking engineered techniques that have improved patient experiences as well as employees’ work environment. For instance, mobile mechanical devices have been instrumental in the reduction of work-related musculoskeletal illnesses. Furthermore, the shift from manual patient transfers has reduced the risk of mishandling high-risk patients hence improving quality of healthcare (Hall, 2005).

Human resource implications

The recommended process change will lead to improved competency of nursing professionals. The cable technique will save time spent during patient transfers by caregivers hence allowing them to work on other activities, thereby leading to improved work productivity.

The shortage of nursing professionals is mainly attributed to the occupational hazards related to the job. However, with the adoption of the mechanized process, nurses will be able to drastically reduce instances of developing work-related illnesses hence safeguarding their health, while at the same time, improve their work performance.

The cable technique project is a viable financial investment. Although an initial financial commitment will be required, the returns on investment will be reflected in improved patient recovery periods, employee well-being as well as permanent hospital assets since the lifts will be used for a fairly long period of time.

The introduction of an improved patient handling technique will lead to increased job satisfaction rates amongst employees. In this case, employees will record improved energy levels thereby improving their productivity.

Conclusion

The nursing profession is considered as one of occupations that has recorded the highest cases of musculoskeletal disorders. This reputation has caused the profession to experience personnel shortages, low productivity and low job satisfaction. However, with the introduction of techniques such as the mounted lifts, work-related musculoskeletal illnesses will be eradicated.

References

Charney, W. (2009). Handbook of modern hospital safety. New York: CRC Press.

Cox, C. (2009). Physical assessment for nurses. West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell.

Hall, L. M. (2005). Quality work environments for nurse and patient safety. Toronto: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

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