Background on SPH
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants reported the highest incidence rate of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) requiring days away from work in 2006 (BLS, 2007). This group was ranked second in overall musculoskeletal disorders requiring days away from work, with Registered Nurses ranked fifth.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (2007). Nonfatal occupational illness and injuries causing days away from work, 2006. United States Department of Labor NEWS. USDL 07-1741. Accessed on September 9, 2009 at: www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2006-117/pdfs/2006-117.pdf
Healthcare workers are over represented specifically for upper extremity MSD among worker's compensation claims. Injured nurses contribute to about one-fourth all claims and one-third of total compensation costs. More than one-third of back injuries among nurses have been associated with the handling of patients and the frequency with which nurses are required to move them.
The extent of musculoskeletal disorders among the U.S. nursing workforce is particularly distressing when considered in the context of the current nursing shortage. The nation – now facing a serious nursing shortage – can no longer afford to lose the nurses who leave the profession annually due to musculoskeletal injuries and pain. Injuries secondary to patient handling and movement tasks compound factors driving the nursing shortage.
Safe patient movement and handling benefits patients as well. The potential for patient injury (such as falls and skin tears) as a consequence of a manual handling mishap is reduced by using assistive equipment and devices. Equipment and devices provide a more secure process for lifting, transferring or repositioning patients. Patients are afforded a safer means to progress through their care, have less anxiety, are more comfortable and maintain their dignity and privacy. Assistive patient-handling equipment can be selected to match a patient's ability to assist in his or her own movement, thereby promoting patient autonomy and rehabilitation.
In addition to safety for both health care worker and patient, a business case can be made for implementing a safe patient handling program.
- Initial investment in both lifting equipment and employee training can be recovered in 2 to 3 years through reductions in workers’ compensation costs.
Source: Collins et al., 2004; Tiesman et al., 2003; Nelson et al., 2003; Garg, 1999.
- Research has shown that resident lifting programs reduce workers’ compensation injury rates by 61%, lost workday injury rates by 66%, restricted workdays by 38%, and the number of workers suffering from repeated injuries.
Source: Collins J.W., et al. 2004. An evaluation of a "best practices" musculoskeletal injury prevention program in nursing homes. injury prevention. Injury Prevention (10) 206–211.
- SPHM programs are cost-effective due to reductions in workers’ compensation claims, costs associated with absenteeism, and turnover.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (2007). Nonfatal occupational illness and injuries causing days away from work, 2006. United States Department of Labor NEWS. USDL 07-1741. Accessed 09/04/09 at www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/case/osnr0029.pdf
- The payback period for a safe patient handling and movement program is calculated at 4.3 years without including indirect benefits associated with reduced injury, employee morale and patient satisfaction. Additionally there are savings in costs related to recruitment of nurses.
Source: Siddharthan, Kris, Nelson, Audrey, & Weisenborn, Gregory. (2005) "A Business Case for Patient Care Ergonomic Interventions" Nursing Administration Quarterly. Vol 29:1, pg 63-71.
Despite the recognition that manual patient handling is a high-hazard task, the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders persists at high rates for nurses and other personnel – signaling the need for continued action. Join ANA’s Safe Patient Handling Team and play a part in helping to improve the safety of nurses and their patients!
Resources
- Safe Patient Handling Map [PDF]
- ANA Handle With Care® Backgrounder
- Contains State Legislative Information