John D. Lloyd, PhD, CPE
Board Certified Ergonomist
32824 Michigan Avenue
San Antonio, Florida 33576
Tel: 813-624-8986
Email: DrJohnLloyd@Tampabay.RR.com
Patient Handling Technologies
In: Handle with Care: A Practice Guide for Safe Patient Handling and Movement
Abstract: The healthcare industry recognizes the high risk of injury involved in the manually lifting and transferring of physically dependent patients. The principal element of many patient handling tasks involves either a vertical or horizontal transfer. Vertical patient handling activities include transfer from bed to chair, bed to commode and chair to commode. Horizontal or lateral patient handling activities include bed to stretcher transfers and repositioning tasks.
Technological solutions are needed to address the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries in nursing related to patient handling and movement tasks. The purpose of this chapter is to identify, describe and discuss technologies that make the workplace safer for caregivers performing patient handling tasks. Key technologies are grouped according to principal function. Technologies to assist with vertical transfer of patients include powered full-body sling lifts, floor-based lifts, ceiling mounted patient lifts, powered standing lifts, non-powered standing aids and gait/transfer belts. Technologies to assist with lateral transfer and repositioning of patients include air-assisted systems, friction reducing devices, mechanical lateral transfer aids, sliding boards and transfer chairs. Other new and emerging technologies which stand to positively impact the nursing profession, such as powered transport devices, are also presented.
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