Session number: 1074
Abstract title: The Impact of New Lifting Technology in a Long Term Care Unit
Author(s):
HM Tiesman - VISN 8 Patient Safety Center
A Nelson - VISN 8 Patient Safety Center
B Charney - San Francisco General Hospital
K Siddharthan - University of South Florida
Objectives: Nursing has one of the highest rates of occupational injuries. Transferring patients is a high-risk activity for nurses on units with dependent patients. The capability of ceiling lifts to reduce injury has not been studied in the US. Studies performed elsewhere have observed a reduction in accidents by 75%-80% and an increase in personnel satisfaction. This study’s objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a ceiling mounted patient lift to reduce the incidence and severity of musculoskeletal injuries.
Methods: Study procedures took place on one 60-bed nursing home care unit. Incident reports were collected monthly and compared to incident reports one-year prior to the installation of the lifts. Data on the lost and restricted time was collected. Baseline and quarterly satisfaction surveys were developed and distributed. Injury rates were calculated as well as descriptive data from the surveys.
Results: The number of injuries in an eleven-month period decreased from 15 to 11. The injury rate prior to the implementation of the lift was 2.96 per 100 nurses per month. After implementation of the lift, the rate dropped to 2.00 per 100 nurses per month. Data on restricted and lost time will available in February. From the satisfaction surveys, of the 16 features of the ceiling lift, at least 80% of the respondents were ‘very’ satisfied with 11 of them. Reported stress levels have declined since the installation as the percentage of persons reporting the lowest levels of stress increased by 16.9%.
Conclusions: The incidence of musculoskeletal injuries decreased after the implementation of the ceiling mounted patient lift system. Reported satisfaction with the ceiling lift was high and the staff believed it to be easy and safe to use.
Impact statement: Increasing the job satisfaction of VA’s nurses as well as protecting them from costly injuries is an imperative measure to be taken to combat the nursing shortage.