safe patient handling in home health

1. Safe Patient Handling in Home Health Anita Biese RN, MS, CNS St Vincent Hospital Home Health Care Green Bay, Wisconsin

3. St Vincent Hospital Started as No Lift Policy Revised to Low Lift Policy Train the Trainer approach

4. Hospital Process Instructions to all staff on correct lifting techniques. Return demonstrations by each staff member Written Test

5. Home Health Process Must follow the Hospital Process A PT and an OT are our Trainers Group training of 4 people over a 2 week period

6. Hospital Training Covering Principles of Body Mechanics Choice of Transfer Technique Hydraulic Lift Transfers Slide Board Transfers Pivot Transfers

7. Home Care Considerations Staffing Types of Patients Availability of Equipment Relationships of patients to caregivers

8. Actions Identified current patients who are difficult transfers Problem solve Assist with change as needed

9. Case Study 51 yo female with advanced Multiple Sclerosis. Insured under husband. Aides have been pivot transferring with increasing difficulty. Very resistant to change.

10. What to Do Convince Patient and Husband of need for change. Discuss available equipment Assist with finding finances for obtaining equipment Help with ordering correct equipment to meet patient needs both present and future Teach husband and staff use of equipment

11. How did we do? Patient continues at home with our assist.

12. Thank You