Pandemic Preparedness and Response Resources
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted health care workers ability to provide care. The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), funded by a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has developed and is making freely available a Pandemic Resource Center. It is available at the following link https://www.backtoworksafely.org/cdc .
The goal is to provide evidence-based solutions to pandemic preparedness and prevention, including the current covid-19 pandemic. The slogan for this initiative is Commit to C.A.R.E. (Community, Accountability, Responsibility, Equity). Current offerings include C.A.R.E Checklists, Posters, Flyer, and Video. We all benefit when the health hazards from pandemics are minimized, allowing us to live our lives and provide our services without this added risk.
Safe Patient Handling ROI Resources
Safe Patient Handling ROI Webcast Version
SPH ROI Webinar April 17, 2019
Training
Implementing ergonomic solutions in healthcare settings can be a challenge due to the unique nature of the various work environments within hospitals and clinics. Yet all healthcare workers need well-designed ergonomic workplaces to ensure they are able to provide the best possible outcome for patients. Using case studies, Ms. James will highlight top challenges in healthcare settings and demonstrate best practice solutions for resolving them.
Creating Safer Environments for Healthcare
Watch Guy Fragala’s presentation entitled, “Creating Safer Environments for Healthcare”, at the 2011 Applied Ergonomics Conference.
Publications
Apr 2019
Staffing Levels of Safety Professionals in Healthcare by Edward Hall, Jr., MS, CSP, CSPHP and Christy Foster, MPA
The field of healthcare is among the most sought-after professions in the United States. Jobs in healthcare have the highest growth rate of any job category with the exception of the hospitality services sector. Jobs in healthcare, especially skilled positions, are also some of the highest paid in the country. A little-known fact about the healthcare industry, however, is that it is also one of the most dangerous in terms of overall injury risk. Employees in healthcare in the United States are more than twice as likely to be injured on the job as construction workers (BLS 2017). In some long-term nursing and residential care facilities the injury rate in certain states is more than 4 times that of construction. Edward Hall and Christy Foster provided a review of the employee safety resources at a representative sample of some of the largest healthcare facilities in the United States points to a disconnect between the need and resources available.
Many thanks to Ed and Christy for share this white paper with ASPHP members.
Click here to download the white paper.
Nov 2018
Health Care Workers Compensation Barometer Actuarial Analysis, November 2018
The fourth edition of Aon’s biennial Health Care Workers Compensation Barometer report, which explores trends in frequency, severity and overall loss rates related to workers’ compensation in the health care industry.
This study is designed with health care risk managers in mind, to enable them to measure, maintain and reduce their workers compensation exposure, “measure” themselves against their peers, “maintain” standards of practice and safety levels, and “reduce” their overall cost of risk. Because of the unique demographic of hospitals, a benchmark that enables risk managers to compare to their health care peers is valuable for controlling the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events.
Download the 2018 Health Care Workers’ Compensation Barometer Report-Executive Summary (PDF)
Sep 2018
Patient Handling and Movement Assessments: A White Paper
The Facility Guidelines Institute, April 2010 Patient Handling and Movement Assessments: A White Paper Prepared by the 2010 Health Guidelines Revision Committee. Click here to download the FGI_PHAMA Reports for Best Practice in architecture/facility design.
CPH-NEW Announces A New Continuing Education Program Ergonomics in Healthcare
Read more about the program and why healthcare workers are at high risk for injuries on the job.
Aug 2018
An Introduction to Pediatric Safe Patient Handling: The Case for a Safe Pediatric Mobility Protocol
Bariatric Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Guidebook: A Resource Guide for Care of Persons of Size
April 2016
White Paper – Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Claims Coding: A Pragmatic and Functional Approach
Beecher Carlson recently released a 2015 Hospital Workers’ Compensation Benchmark Study. Click below to read.
The Center for Disease Control recently published a report on healthcare worker injuries. Read below.
Occupational Traumatic Injuries Among Workers in Health Care Facilities — United States, 2012–2014
The 2014 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index has been published. Below find the News Release re: the publication and the Index itself.
Read 2014 Liberty Mutual Work Place Safety Index
Bloomberg BNA Occupational Safety & Health Reporter featured article regarding California Safe Patient Handling Rules. Colin Brigham, past ASPHP President and current Board Member contributed.
Reproduced with permission from Occupational Safety & Health Reporter, 44 OSHR 919 (Oct. 2, 2014). Copyright 2014 by The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (800-372-1033) <http://www.bna.com>
American Nurse Today supplement on SPHM
This supplement was funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Hill-Rom. Content of this supplement was developed independently of the sponsor and all articles have undergone peer review according to American Nurse Today standards
To avoid injuring their patients and themselves, healthcare providers must get in the habit of using safe patient handling and mobility (SPHM) technology. In this supplement, national experts share their perspectives and best practices on topics ranging from dealing with bariatric patients, managing slings, and assessing a patient’s mobility to transforming the culture, building the business case for an SPHM, and developing a successful SPHM program.
USA Today story on Patient Lifts
This story provides some interesting data.
Chapter extract from The Guide to the Handling of People 6th edition (HOP6)
The Association of Safe Patient Handling Professionals, Inc. would like to thank The Backcare Charity for their kind permission to use Chapter 12 People handling for bariatrics, a systems approach. Acknowledgement is also given to the editor Jacqui Smith and contributing authors Ken Cookson and Anita Rush. The Backcare Charity
Prompt response key to appropriate recovery
Manual Handling Adviser Ken Cookson examines the multidisciplinary approach taken by the staff in an acute NHS trust to improve post-fall recovery of patients with suspected injuries…
Read “Improving Post-Fall Recovery” article
Ergonomics Reference Document
Colin J. Brigham served as Chair of the Ergonomics Committee of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). There he led efforts to develop the subject document that helps to dispel ergonomic myths and answer the following questions:
- Is ergonomics a science?
- Will ergonomics regulations or controls increase the costs of doing business?
- Can ergonomic injuries be adequately diagnosed?
The AIHA Board of Directors approved this document on November 6, 2011 with plans for placing it on their website and distributing it to the media.
Ten Steps to Enhance Healthcare Employees’ Safety
Lori Severson, MS, HEM, ASP
LTC Research Brief
Research Courtesy of NCCI Holdings, Inc. Copyright, 2011, NCCI Holdings, Inc. For more information, please visit www.ncci.com
Cookson K Hall D (2002) A Guide to Managing the Moving & Handling Requirements of Extremely Heavy Clients
Evidence-Based Practices For Safe Patient Handling And Movement
Audrey Nelson, PhD, RN, FAAN Andrea S. Baptiste, MA, CIE
An essential primer to the study and practice of safe patient handling and movement
Beyond Getting Started: A Resource Guide for Implementing a Safe Patient Handling Program in the Acute Care Setting
Developed by the AOHP OSHA Alliance Implementation Team
An excellent resource for continued development of safe patient handling programs.
When Is It Safe To Manually Lift a Patient?
Tom Waters, PhD.
Quantification of risk associated with the moving of patients.
Patient Handling and Movement Assessments: A White Paper
2010 Health Guidelines Revision Committee – Specialty Subcommittee on Patient Movement Design/Construction and Safe Patient Handling
The Facilities Guidelines Institute (FGI) has just released the 2010 Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities (published by the American Society of Healthcare Engineers (ASHE).
Facilitating Repositioning in Bed (Guy Fragala) (PDF)
Embrace CaringforCaregivers (Guy Fragala) (PDF)
Environment of Care newsletter (Guy Fragala) (PDF)
Case Studies
Public Citizen Report The Healthcare Industry’s Castoffs
This report is the first in a 5-part series discussing the problem of injuries to healthcare workers arising from the physical demands of their jobs. These demands arise primarily from patient handling. The experiences of 6 different nurses are presented.
Success Stories Resulting from State Legislation
The ANA presented a Safe Patient Handling and Mobility webinar on June 19, 2013 in advance of the release of the new SPHM Standards. Below, find the PowerPoint of the presentation by Colin Brigham.
Long-Term Efficacy of an Ergonomics Program That Includes Patient-Handling Devices on Reducing Musculoskeletal Injuries to Nursing Personnel
Arun Garg and Jay M. Kapellusch
First published in Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 2012
Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
NCCI Research Brief regarding Safe Lifting Programs at Long-Term Care Facilities
Links to Additional Case Studies
These sites often contain interesting and valuable case studies:
Healthcare Ergonomics: Three Case Studies In Economic Health
Colin Brigham’s presentation at the Second Annual Applied Ergonomics Conference
Tools and Tips
Storage of SPHM Equipment in Hallways
It’s a conundrum…if SPHM equipment is not readily available it is unlikely to be used. Storing it in the hallways makes it more readily available but may also lead to life safety concerns and violations. CMS and The Joint Commission addressed this issue in the following publications.
ECRI Institute Tools
“Reprinted with permission, Copyright 2013, ECRI Institute, www.ecri.org. 5200 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. 610-825-6000.”
ECRI Institute Manual Handling Injuries in Healthcare Handout
ECRI Institute Safe Patient Handling Handout for Nurses
ECRI Institute Safe Patient Handling Handout for Nursing Assistants
Hoist Flow Chart
Download PDF
SPH Program Gap Analysis Tool
Provided by: Colin J. Brigham(1Source Safety and Health, Inc.), Catherine P. Gouvin and Tim Green (Lawrence & Memorial Hospital)
Management of Extremely Heavy Patients – Ken Cookson (PDF)
Ten Strategies for Reducing Patient Handling Injuries – Rick Barker (PDF)
