What is Safe Patient Handling (SPH)?It’s the law!!

Safe patient handling (SPH) means the use of engineering controls, transfer aids, or assistive devices whenever feasible and appropriate--instead of manual lifting, to perform the acts of lifting, transferring, and/or repositioning health care patients and residents.

Source: RI General Law 23-17-59

Patient Floor Lift and Ceiling lift

Lifts, transfers, holds limbs, turns, or repositions a patient

Slings

Patient Assessment

The patient assessment includes, but is not limited to evaluating the patient’s ability to: – ambulate– weight-bear through upper and lower extremities– follow directions and/or cooperate– Patient’s weight and/or BMI are also considered.

Patient Assessment

Movement of some patients may require special consideration (i.e. musculoskeletal injury, tubes and drains, medical contraindications).

Stand Assist Device

Assist patient going from sit to stand from bed, chair, or toilet without having to manually lift her.

A safe way to have your patient work on standing tolerance.

Trapeze

A trapeze can help a patient boost herself in bed. Be aware of shearing forces to her skin.

Test Your SPH Knowledge 1

Generally speaking, safe patient handling means that, whenever possible, you should use equipment to move a patient instead of lifting or pulling on her.

a. trueb. false

Test Your SPH Knowledge 1

Generally speaking, safe patient handling means that, whenever possible, you should use equipment to move a patient instead of lifting or pulling on her.

a. trueb. false

Slippery Sheet

This friction-reducing device is used to laterally transfer or boost a patient.

Bed Features

Raise the bed a few inches to help a patient overcome gravity when going from sit to stand.

Be sure the patient’s feet are firmly on the ground.

Know the weight capacities of your furniture.

Bariatric PREPAREDness

Rollbord

Used to laterally transfer a patient

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3

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Environment Assessment

Prior to any handling task identify risks associated with the distance the patient is to be moved, obstacles, weight capacities of equipment and furniture, and other potential hazards.

Bed Features

Elevate the bed to waist level when making the bed, drawing blood, or performing any other patient care tasks.

Why Should I Report an Incident?

Reporting may result in some of the following risk prevention strategies: – revised patient handling procedures – repair/replacement of existing equipment– new equipment trials– staff training/retraining

Test Your SPH Knowledge 2

In Rhode Island, Safe Patient Handling is important because

a. it’s the lawb. we want to minimize injury to our caregiversc. we want to enhance the quality of patient cared. all of the above

Test Your SPH Knowledge 2

In Rhode Island, Safe Patient Handling is important because

a. it’s the lawb. we want to minimize injury to our caregiversc. we want to enhance the quality of patient cared. all of the above

Bed Features

Use the Trendelenberg feature whenever appropriate to boost a patient with assist of gravity.

Some patients may not tolerate this position.

Transport Safety

Most transport injuries occur from frequent deceleration down hill and around corners.– Only push the patient as hard as it takes to

propel her forward.– Anticipate turns ahead of time.

Limb Lifting Guidance Statement

The National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses and Association of periOperative Registered Nurses developed guidance statements related to limb lifting:

– Maximum weight for a one-handed lift is 11.1 pounds and a two-handed lift, 22.2 pounds (which is the approximate limb weight of a patient who weighs 165 pounds).

Did You Know…?

After 3 minutes of continuous limb holding, your strength is 29% of your initial lifting strength?

After 3 minutes, the lift’s strength is 100%!!

Bed Features

Raise the head of the bed to help the patient go from supine to sit.

Bariatric Bed

Used with patients > 350 pounds and/or BMI > 35-40

You can power drive your patients in this bed!

The handrails provide excellent support for patients who are transferring in and out of bed.

Protect Patients, Co-Workers, and Yourself!

Do not lift or pull on your patients…or allow

them to pull on you!

Use the SPH equipment that is provided to you!

Log Roll

Have patient roll onto her side, moving her shoulders and hips as a unit. Her knees should hang off the edge of the bed.

You can reduce unnecessary spinal loading by getting

yourself out of bed this way as well!

Test Your SPH Knowledge 3

Prior to moving a patient, it is important to consider:a. her ability to participate in the mobility taskb. the effect of her medicationsc. her weightd. all of the above

Test Your SPH Knowledge 3

Prior to moving a patient, it is important to consider:a. her ability to participate in the mobility taskb. the effect of her medicationsc. her weightd. all of the above