Implementing a Patient Lift Team
Implementing a Patient Lift Team Preventing Employee Injury While Enhancing Patient Safety
A day in the life of a bedside nurse: •
Nurses perform an average of 14.4 patient lifts per day at an average patient weight of 173 lbs
•
This is a cumulative weight of over 2 tons per day!
Implementing a Patient Lift Team
Significance of the problem: • • •
Nursing is ranked 2nd after industrial work for physical workload intensity
•
Patient handling injuries may be life-altering not just work-altering
Back injuries affect up to 38% of all nurses Nurses have approximately 30% more days off due to back pain as a % of all causes compared to only 8% for the general population
September 26, 2007 Debra Cobb, Manager Materiel Services
1
Implementing a Patient Lift Team •
Purpose
Immediately and effectively addresses work related injuries by providing focused support to caregivers to prevent back injuries and to ensure patient safety.
•
Goal
Reduce injuries related to patient lifting and days away from work by 75%.
•
ROI
Significant, measurable, and sustainable reduction in staff injuries and the associated costs.
•
Proposal
Six-month pilot proposed on 3 inpatient units, 24 hours per day, seven days per week
•
Partnerships Nursing, Patient Transportation, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Safety Management
Implementing a Patient Lift Team
Implementing a Patient Lift Team
Benefits of Lift Team
Current vs. Proposed Process Patient requires lift assistance
CURRENT
Caregiver lifts patient with or without utilizing equipment High potential for injury
PROPOSED Caregiver requests peer staff on unit to assist
Lift Team called
Approximate wait time 10 minutes
Team arrives to unit 3.5 minutes
Lift completion time 10 minutes
Lift completion time 6 minutes
Total time 20 minutes
Total time 10 minutes
• • • • • • • • •
Prevent injuries to staff Prevent injuries to patients related to ineffective lifting/transferring Improve patient safety Decrease severity of injuries Increase patient satisfaction Improve staff satisfaction and overall morale Positive impact on nursing retention and recruitment rates Opportunity for growth for Patient Transportation staff Unified partnership between Nursing, Patient Transportation, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Safety Management
2
Implementing a Patient Lift Team
Implementing a Patient Lift Team
Pilot Description Teams of three, provided service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The pilot intervention on 3 inpatient units » 124 beds total » three highest caregiver injury rate units * » nurse manager commitment to the project » patient population includes medical and post-surgical, moderate acuity patients Duration 6 Months Expected Outcomes The goal of the pilot program was to reduce the number of injuries by 75% during the six-month pilot.
Utilizes patient handling equipment and transfer devices in compliance with policies and procedures, vendor specifications, and patient handling protocols.
Coordinates, inventories and maintains the necessary equipment for use in patient transfers, lifts and repositioning
Orientation of Lift Team Members Prioritizes and organizes requests to ensure maximum efficiency and care for patients
Lift Team Responsibilities Actively participates in QI monitoring and documentation of all patient lift activities
Implementing a Patient Lift Team
Participates in ongoing education and training of lift equipment and transfer, repositioning techniques.
• • • • • • • • •
Anatomy and Physiology (relevant to back injury) Principles of body mechanics Assessment and preparation of patients for transfer Hospital lifting and lift team policies Patient confidentiality Proper use of mechanical transfer and lifting devices Teamwork and communication Maintenance of records and logs Infection control
D.A.R.T. (6-1-05 to 5-31-06)
3
Implementing a Patient Lift Team Types of Equipment Used • • • • • • • • •
Floor lifts Portable and permanent ceiling lifts Sit to stand devices Stretcher chair with lateral transfer capabilities (total lift to chair) Transfer board Slipp sheets Slide repositioning sheet Air assisted device (Air Pal/Hover Mat) Gait belts
Implementing a Patient Lift Team
Implementing a Patient Lift Team
Pilot Stats (6 Month Pilot)
Pilot Metrics Goal
Target
Total lift injuries on Pilot Units % Reduction in lift-related injuries
% Reduction in Days Away/Days Restricted
Post-
14
6
75%
Total Days Away/Days Restricted
Number of injuries to Lift Team personnel
Pre-
64% 788
142
75%
82%
0
0
Total Lifts Performed Types of Lifts: Repositions Stretcher/Bed Chair/Bed Other Status: Routine Scheduled Urgent/Emergent
11,026 46% 25% 17% 17% 90% 9% 1%
4
Implementing a Patient Lift Team Program Deliverables • • • • • •
Significant, measurable and sustainable reduction in staff injuries and associated costs. Enhances a culture of safety across institution. Exceed proposed Michigan State bill mandating safe patient handling initiatives. Immediate resource for all staff to personnel trained in lift equipment and safe lift techniques including structural lifts. Shared governance of lift/transfer equipment inventory and maintenance. As reported on Patient Discharge Summary, patients specifically request Lift Team.
Implementing a Patient Lift Team Return on Investment Injuries (inpatient units, 12 mo) 144 Days Away/Days Restricted 3,850 Annual Direct Cost of DART (salary x 3,850) $1.65 M Reduction of 82% $1.4 M Annual Lift Team Investment $634 K ROI - Direct Cost Annual Net Savings * $766,000
*
Implementing a Patient Lift Team Program Expansion •
In the coming months, phased-in expansion to provide coverage for all inpatient units
•
Future expansions to procedural and treatment areas and clinics
•
On-going assessment and review for further education of patient care needs and equipment
Professional literature suggests that the indirect cost of caregiver injuries can exceed four to six times the direct costs.
5
