Safe Patient Handling for Nurses

Presented by Michael Fragala and Guy Fragala

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Video Runtime: 60 Minutes; Learning Assessment Runtime: 42 Minutes

Nursing staff play an important role in helping patients and residents with movement and mobility, but oftentimes these tasks are beyond the physical capabilities of the individual healthcare worker. This can result in injury for healthcare workers and patients alike. Throughout this course, participants will explore the risks associated with manual patient handling, as well as strategies and technologies to promote safe patient handling. This course also includes a discussion of the importance of a culture of safety when integrating the concepts of safe patient handling and mobility.

Meet your instructors

Michael Fragala

Michael Fragala has worked in the healthcare business operations arena for the majority of his career and has served as a Regional Clinical Director, primarily responsible for clinical operations and strategic planning, within national post-acute accounts. Presently Mr. Fragala is employed by Joerns Healthcare overseeing…

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Guy Fragala

Dr. Fragala has more than 45 years of experience as an Occupational Safety and Health professional and is currently the Senior Advisor for Ergonomics at the Patient Safety Center of Inquiry in Tampa, Florida. He recently served as Champion for the Creating the Safer Environment Program for Joerns Healthcare and Director of…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Why is Safe Patient Handling Important?

1. Why is Safe Patient Handling Important?

Occupational risk factors of patient handling and mobility include exertion, repetition, posture and duration of exposure. These activities can pose significant risks to nurses as well as their patients. This chapter explores the magnitude of the occupational injury problem, including both direct and indirect costs related to manual patient handling.

Reducing the Impact of Occupational Risk Factors

2. Reducing the Impact of Occupational Risk Factors

Understanding the role of nursing staff in identifying risk factors for occupational injury and patient harm is an essential component of a culture of safety. This chapter explores the various activities that put nursing staff and patients at increased risk of injury, including exertion, repetition, posture, duration of exposure and other aspects of nursing staff’s daily routine.

What is Safe Patient Handling and Mobility and Why is it Important to You in Your Job?

3. What is Safe Patient Handling and Mobility and Why is it Important to You in Your Job?

Ergonomics and body mechanics play an important role in safe patient handling. This chapter explains what safe patient handling is and why it is an important part of creating a culture of safety. The importance of staffing, programs and equipment will also be addressed in this chapter.

Q&A Discussion: Perspectives on Safe Patient Handling

4. Q&A Discussion: Perspectives on Safe Patient Handling

Through a discussion with a nurse, this chapter will explore how direct care staff feel at the end of their day, what types of activities they see as potential risks and what they have done to offset these risks. This chapter also includes a discussion of strategies for effectively ensuring the safety of both patients and nursing staff.

Available Technology and Solutions

5. Available Technology and Solutions

How do you use technology and assistive devices to reduce risk? This chapter explores different options available to you and how to best utilize what’s available at your facility. This chapter also includes a discussion on when to use assistive devices, including information on beds, lateral transfers, active transfers, passive transfers, falls and DME.

What is a “Culture of Safety” and What is Your Role in Promoting a Safety Culture and How We Develop Support Within Our Facility

6. What is a “Culture of Safety” and What is Your Role in Promoting a Safety Culture and How We Develop Support Within Our Facility

Nursing staff play an important role advocating for those who receive care at their facility. This chapter includes a discussion on the important role that nursing staff plays in developing a culture of safety, as well as how statistics can be a powerful tool to gain buy in from decision makers and improve the safety and quality of patient care. In addition, this chapter includes a discussion on how to best utilize contracted vendors to support your facility’s change initiatives.