One of the many responsibilities of medical professionals includes the safe transfer of patients from their beds. In order to protect the well-being of our health care workers, proper techniques are of the utmost importance. When not done correctly, injuries can occur to the caregiver and/or the patient, ranging from back and muscle injuries for the lifter, to shearing or friction injuries that increase the likelihood of pressure wounds for the patient. There are several ways to reduce the risks. We can request assistance from a co-worker or use the Lift team and/or the proper equipment. Unfortunately, this is not always a feasible option due to the unavailability of additional staff or resources, so this can result in the potential for devastating consequences in the health care setting.
Joyce Stengel, a Registered Nurse, addressed these topics in her article, “Safety: Help with Heavy Lifting.” She cites the issues and reinforces the importance of proper transfer methods for both staff and patient safety, especially when working with the obese patient. Stengel introduced an air-assisted device to aid in lateral transfers of patients with BMIs greater than 40 in operating rooms that frequently have minimal staffing. She claims that the mats can safely be used with only two to three staff members, as compared to the typical four to five. Caregivers may try to move patients without the help of others (if additional staff is unavailable) or without mechanical assistance (if not readily accessible), so Stengel recommends the need for regular assessments, as well as continuing education for the staff. Remedial education courses help reinforce the proper use of equipment, prevents errors and harm, and allows for questions or role play regarding transfer situations which can occur. Lastly, Stengel suggests an alert system to designate specific patients that would need the transfer devices, to ensure that they are available for those with an elevated BMI.
The pandemic has caused an increase in staffing shortages within the healthcare setting, and it is critical to not only protect our own welfare, but also prevent patient injuries with appropriate transfer techniques. Any method that can promote our physical well-being and continued good health is crucial and of paramount importance, particularly during this time of need.
References
Stengel, J. (2021). “Safety: Help With Heavy Lifting”. Proper lateral transfers of obese patients prevent staff injuries.Outpatient Surgery Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.aorn.org/outpatient-surgery/articles/outpatient-surgery-magazine/2021/october/heavy-lifting