Safe Lifting the BFA Way Issue 7 2010 Distributor of the Year 2011 Post-Acute Dealer of the Year DID YOU KNOW Approximately 17% of children and adolescents aged 2 19 years are obese Or how about this: Recommended Ceiling lift coverage per bed total : Peds: 20% Med/Surg: 50% ICU: 100% It s not about how much they weigh it s about their ability to These are the words *JoAnn Bunke shared during a recent presentation at the 2012 National Safe Patient Handling Conference. Her presentation focused on pediatrics but the thought is the same when caring for adults. It s not about how much they weigh, it s about how much can they assist you. How often have you heard something like this, We don t need to use a lift for her, she only weighs 98 pounds. If she can t assist to boost, turn, transfer or stand you probably need to use a lift. So often we get asked what is the amount of weight a caregiver can safely lift? The answer, according to Dr Tom Waters of NIOSH, the leading expert in safe lifting limits is a recommended 35-lb. maximum weight limit for use in patient-handling tasks. When weight to be lifted exceeds this limit, assistive devices should be used. Evaluate the tasks you do. How much are you lifting? As a point of reference: One leg of a 250 lb person weighs about 39 lbs. http://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2007&issue=08000&article=00030&type=fulltext June, 2012 Recommended 35-lb maximum weight limit When is it safe to manually lift? *JoAnn Bunke, MA, RN Clinical Director for Barrier Free Access has presented several times at the National SPHM Conference. This year in addition to Applying Safe Patient Handling in Pediatric Settings Mrs Bunke also presented Innovations in Staff Training for Safe Patient Handling. Patient handling solutions it s what we do! INSIDE: 2011 ANA HEALTH AND SAFETY SURVEY RESULTS
Patient handling solutions it s what we do! This is more than just a tagline for Barrier Free Access Here s why... Because of your help in the design we can use our lifts for so much more than the obvious bed to chair transfers. You showed us how to select the best option in each of our spaces. Getting maximum coverage is very important to the nurses so they can turn, transfer, lift limbs, boost without moving the bed to get it correctly positioned under the lift like we had to do with the other rail we had. You showed us how to select the best option in each of our spaces We had some unique design challenges but working with your Project Management and Clinical Team was a pleasure. We couldn t have the layouts and function we do without them. Your attention to detail and room by room drawings made all the difference. Our architect and contractor appreciated your collaboration. There were no surprises after installation. We thought we were stuck with the poorly placed ceiling lifts we had. Thank you for working with us to get them replaced with a design that works! Thank you for partnering with us to install this equipment. You worked through many complex situations and circumstances and the lifts went in with minimal disruption. We thought our ceilings wouldn t allow for lifts to be installed. You showed us a safe option that worked! OR or ICU equipment and booms? We can work around it Can t go into the ceiling? Solution: Wall mounting installation method Page 2 Low Ceilings? Recess rails into the ceiling or use a raised carrier to maximize lift height
ANA 2011 Health and Safety Survey Patient lifting equipment and needles with safety devices are more prevalent today than 10 years ago in healthcare facilities, contributing to a safer overall work environment for RNs, according to a new survey by the American Nurses Association. However, the survey also found that more can be done to reduce hazards and promote a workplace culture that prioritizes nurses health and safety. The 2011 Health and Safety Survey (http://bit.ly/vqeuj3) shows nursing remains tough on the body, with 80% of nurses reporting they continue to work frequently despite neck, back or shoulder pain caused by the job. Also, 13% of respondents said they had been injured three or more times on the job within a year, compared with 7% in 2001. Healthcare employers must ensure a safe and healthy work environment if they wish to recruit and retain nurses, who are key to the delivery of high-quality patient care, ANA President Karen A. Daley, RN, PhD, MPH, FAAN, said in a news release. Everyone has a role to play in changing the culture to put safety first. No one should have to go to work and worry that they are putting their health in jeopardy given what we know about prevention strategies. Nearly two-thirds of nurses said they have ready access to patient lifting and transfer devices, compared to less than half in 2001. The ANA s Handle With Care campaign (http://bit.ly/tkq5si) seeks to eliminate manual patient handling to prevent injuries and musculoskeletal disorders. But even though the devices are more available, fewer than one-third of nurses said they use them frequently, suggesting that selection and placement of patient lift and transfer devices should be evaluated. Increased education and changes in workplace culture may also help increase safety. The survey, which drew responses from 4,614 RNs, reveals the same top three work environment concerns as in a similar 2001 ANA survey: the acute or chronic effects of stress and overwork (74% of respondents); disabling musculoskeletal injury (62%); and risk of contracting an infectious disease (43%). See above quoted content and entire article on nurse.com No one should have to go to work and feel they are putting their health in jeopardy. http://news.nurse.com/article/20111215/national02/112190010/-1/frontpage Do you have a Safe Lifting Program at your facility? A real program, not just a lift or two. If you need help developing a program or evaluating what you currently have we can help. If you have a program, how are you keeping it alive? You need to keep it in front of staff. Some suggestions include having a Lift of the Month to focus on reviewing a specific type of lift. For example lifting from the floor using a Golvo or changing a depends over the toilet using a Sabina. Always remember to recognize people for safely using the lift equipment. Use them as an exemplar for others. If you have a program, that s great. But remember, if you ignore it, it will go away! Page 3 QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY ITEMS INCLUDED IN THIS NEWSLETTER CAN BE DIRECTED TO JOANN@BARRIERFREEACCESS.COM
Customer Tip If you have a patient/ resident that falls in an area where you can t reach them with a lift use a HandyTube 1 3 Page 4 4 2 1) Position Handytube under person it is slippery so you can slide into position 2) Align handles in direction you want the person to move (up and down or sideways). Pull green handles to thread or unroll tube underneath them 3) Pull green handles to begin to slide them. Someone can support feet or head if needed 4) Continue moving the person by sliding with green handles until he/ she is where you can apply a sling and use the total lift. Bonus tip: A handytube can also be used to boost or turn people in bed
MN Safety Council and MN OSHA Partner for first ever statewide Safe Patient Handling & Movement Conference Several of our Barrier Free Access customers spoke at this event As part of the 78th Annual Minnesota Safety & Health Conference the Minnesota Safety Council hosted the first ever statewide one day Safe Patient Handling & Movement Conference. This year, the conference included a daylong Safe Patient Handling and Movement program, in partnership with Minnesota OSHA Workplace Safety Consultation. We were very proud to have several of our Barrier Free Access customers speak at this event. John Crist, Abbott Northwestern Hospital Siobhan Dugan, MPH, PhD, Safety and Risk Prevention, Allina Hospitals & Clinics Chloe Gagnon, Corporate HR Manager, Elim Care, BHS, St. Therese of New Hope Bill Hirschuber, OTR/L Ergonomics & Safe Patient Handling, Coordinator, Case Manager, Park Nicollet Health Services Mike Marturano Safety Officer, St. Luke s Hospital Marnie Myhre, MS,PT, CEA, Injury Prevention Coordinator, Fairview Health Services Brett Osborne, PT, Director of Rehab Services, St. Luke s Hospital All of these individuals have worked to create a successful safe patient handling program at their facility. They are true safe patient handling crusaders and we are proud to partner with them. JoAnn Bunke, MA, RN, Clinical Director, Barrier Free Access, Inc. was also a presenter. What s happening in MN? (not so) FUN FACT Did you know $90 Billion was spent on low back pain in one year. The same as was spent on cancer! (JAMA, 2011) Page 5 The MHA SAFE LIFT Campaign Minnesota Hospital Association is conducting a "SAFE LIFT" campaign, a statewide initiative aimed at promoting safe patient handling. A SAFE LIFT Roadmap has been developed as part of this campaign. Check out the site for several Safe Lift Resources related to: Safe Patient Handling Program Coordination Accurate and Concurrent Reporting Facility Expectations and Accountability Education for staff, patients, and families Lift Equipment & Processes Implementation Fine Tuning Troubleshooting Click on these sources for more information: MN OSHA Workplace Safety Consultation has been facilitating discussions about the patient handling issues being faced in hospital settings. Check out their website for further information. It is an excellent SPH resource: http://www.dli.mn.gov/wsc/sphlegislation.asp Thank you to Breca Tschida, WSC Ergonomics Program Coordinator for all her efforts with this initiative. http://www.mnhospitals.org/index/tools-app/tool.441 http://www.mnhospitals.org/inc/data/pt-handling/safe-lift-roadmap.pdf
Because you asked... The Rollbord is powered only by a gentle push or pull force. A low friction fabric cover slides on a low friction inner material as it carries the patient to the destination surface. Surgiboard Size: 47" x 16" Low Friction Material Anti-Microbial Cover Anti-Static MRI Compatible Easy to Wipe Clean What can we do for lateral transfers in areas we cannot have lifts, such as our MRI area where no metal allowed? Answer: Samarit Rollbord The Rollbord is MRI safe. Staff may think the end cap screws are metal but they are not. Another misconception is that Rollbord is similar to the old style roller board which literally used metal rollers. This is different and is MRI safe. A soft and lightweight patient transfer device that contains no metal rollers. The anti-bacterial treated surface and disposable cover sheet help to achieve maximum infection control. Other models also designed for Gyn, Bariatrics, and Ambulance use This also works well in the Operating Room and Preop/ Recovery Room if you don t have an overhead lift and may not have room for a mobile lift. The disposable cover sheet makes cleaning easy. Page 6 Questions? Call Us 507-775-2828
Who are we? 1207 Frontage Road NW Byron, MN 55920 Phone: 507-775-2828 E-mail: joann@barrierfreeaccess.com www.barrierfreeaccess.com W A T C H F O R U S N E X T T I M E FOR A PDF OF DR WATERS ARTICLE REFERENCED ON PAGE 1 OR FOR ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ITEMS INCLUDED IN THIS NEWSLETTER CONTACT JOANN@BARRIERFREEACCESS.COM Barrier Free Access Inc. is a locally owned & operated company specializing in safe patient handling solutions. The firm was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Byron, Minnesota. Barrier Free Access is the MN distributor for Liko lifts as well as a variety of other related products. Our goal is to partner with facilities to create successful safe patient handling programs rather than just provide equipment. Our efforts are genuine and our integrity is evident in all of our relationships. We refuse to sacrifice safety or quality. Over the years, Barrier Free Access has become known throughout Minnesota and beyond as experts in safe patient handling. We pride ourselves on doing what s right for patient and caregiver and simply won t compromise those beliefs to sell product. That explains why we are looked upon as a respected & trusted resource for safe patient handling information & advice. Barrier Free Access offers a complete line of safe patient handling products from low tech solutions through the highest quality mechanical devices. Our product line is diverse and includes a variety of mobile and overhead lifts. Our solutions based approach creates a true partnership. Although it sounds cliché, our goal is to create a successful program rather than sell product. Many facilities underestimate the importance of customer service, clinical solutions, culture change knowledge, expert training and people who lead with their heart and passion for safe patient handling. All of these are reasons Barrier Free Access was named 2010 National Liko Distributor of the Year and 2011 Liko Hill-Rom Post-Acute Dealer of the Year! Page 7 Barrier Free Access Office and Warehouse Barrier Free Access Safe Lifting Lab Patient handling solutions it s what we do!