Nurses care about patient safety, and over 70% of nurses just aren’t satisfied with the measures taken by their hospital or healthcare system to protect their charges.
One key focus area: patient transfers. These deceptively simple processes can result in musculoskeletal injury (for the patient or the nurse!) and risk of fall.
Whether moving a patient from one room to another or from a bed to a stretcher, it’s crucial to ensure safety and comfort.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), over 35% of workplace injuries in healthcare involve lifting. Thankfully, there are simple ways to improve patient transfers and increase the quality of care provided by your nursing staff.
Reducing Identifiable Harm in Your Hospital
Potential risks, also called “identifiable harm” refers to any injury or damage that a patient can clearly see or feel while receiving care in a hospital that could (or should) have been identified as risky and avoided. Such harm could include the risk of falls, medication errors, or infections. For example, if a patient falls while getting out of bed, that fall is a clear case of identifiable harm.
Reducing identifiable harm is crucial. When harm occurs, it can lead to longer hospital stays and more medical expenses. Statistics show that about 1 in 10 patients experience harm while being treated in a hospital. This number is significant and shows how important it is to keep patients safe.
Safe patient handling, proper equipment use, effective communication, and zero-harm transfer procedures play a key role in reducing identifiable harm in a healthcare environment.
Four Ways to Keep Staff & Patients Safer During Transfers
Transferring patients safely, using the right techniques and proper equipment, is an excellent first step toward reducing identifiable harm in your hospital.
Poor transfers can lead to accidents and injuries for both the patient and the healthcare professionals on the team. It’s essential to have a plan that focuses on everyone’s safety. These tips can make a big difference in your hospital or clinic.
Start a Safe Patient Handling Program
Starting a safe patient handling program is important for hospitals. It helps protect both patients and nurses from illness, injury, contamination, and other risks of injury.
First, identify the goals of the program. Set clear rules for lifting and moving patients safely. Next, train all staff members. Offer workshops on proper techniques. For example, you can show how to use equipment like lifts and slide sheets.
Involve nurses in the planning process. Ask for their input on the program. This helps them feel valued. They’ll be more likely to follow the rules. Share statistics that show the benefits. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), safe handling reduces injuries by 50%.
Regularly remind nurses about the importance of the program. Use posters and meetings to keep the message fresh. Celebrate successes, like reduced injury rates. When nurses see the positive impact, they’ll understand the program’s value. By working together, hospitals can create a safer environment for everyone.
Get Sloan’s tips for starting your own safe patient handling program.
Use the Buddy System: Don’t Move a Patient Solo
When it comes to moving patients, nurses should never go solo. Moving a patient alone can lead to accidents or injuries for both the nurse and the patient. Teamwork is key in healthcare.
Moving patients can be tricky. A weight-bearing patient may need at least two nurses to shift safely. For a non-weight-bearing patient, three to four staff members might be necessary. Using tools like flexible, rip-resistant patient transfer sheets will reduce the risk of injury and make the process smoother.
Statistics show that over 30% of healthcare workers experience injuries from lifting patients. Always prioritize safety. Remember, no one should ever try to move a patient alone. Teamwork isn’t just helpful — it’s essential for patient safety and staff health.
Provide Patient Education Before Transfers
Explaining the transfer process to patients, whenever possible, is very important. It helps them understand what will happen next, or what may happen to them when they are under anesthesia or otherwise immobile.
When patients know what to expect, they feel less anxious, and it can make them more cooperative during the transfer procedure.
Before transferring a patient, caregivers should explain each step clearly. For example, you might say, “We’re going to lift you from the bed to your chair now.” Explain the use of tools like patient transfer sheets or transfer belts. Doing this gives patients a sense of control. They may be more willing to follow instructions. This cooperation makes transfers smoother and safer.
During the transfer, communication is key. Caregivers should continue to talk to the patient. Saying things like, “Can you help me by leaning to your right?” keeps the patient involved. Studies show that patient involvement can reduce accidents by 30%.
Finally, after the transfer, caregivers should check in. Asking, “How do you feel now?” helps ensure the patient’s comfort. This attention confirms their safety and builds trust. Clear communication before, during, and after transfers can make the process safer for everyone involved.
Switch From Sliding Boards to Transfer Sheets
Switching to single-patient use disposable patient transfer sheets offers many benefits over traditional slide boards and can make your transfer process safer.
Rigid slide boards are uncomfortable, unwieldy, and can carry dangerous bacteria or viruses from patient to patient without careful, complete disinfection. They can be heavy and hard to maneuver. If a slide board slips, it can hurt both the patient and the nurses. These accidents can lead to injuries, causing longer recovery times for everyone involved.
Nurses face disruptions when they have to find or sanitize a slide board. If a board is dirty, or the nurse can’t verify or guarantee that it was sanitized, the nurse must stop working to clean it. This takes time and impacts patient care, wait times, and patient satisfaction.
On the other hand, disposable patient transfer sheets can be kept in a wall-hanging dispenser in the room, which eliminates the hunt for transfer tools. Each disposable transfer sheet is sanitary and stays with a single patient throughout their multiple surface transfers – these sheets are single-patient, not single-use. These transfer tools help reduce the risk of infections, with one study having found that infection rates dropped by 30% when using disposable sheets.
Single-patient disposable transfer sheets improve safety and efficiency in patient transfers, and they minimize risks and streamline the nursing workflow.
Safe Patient Handling Doesn’t Have to Be a Pain
Reports show that about 50% of healthcare workers face back injuries due to improper lifting. Using the right tools and techniques can reduce this risk.
Hospitals that adopt safe handling practices see fewer injuries and lower healthcare costs. By training staff in proper techniques, they can create a safer environment for everyone. OSHA has provided guidance to help you rate your facility’s Safe Patient Handling Program.
Your facility has choices regarding the assistive equipment and PPE that protect your staff and patients. It can be tough to decide which option is right for your practice!
