Safe Patient Handling

The reasons for implementing a Safe Patient Handling (SPH) program are many:

• Recruitment and Retention (enabling mature nurses to stay ‘at the bedside’ longer, and reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries to all of your staff)
• The changes in Medicare reimbursement for preventable 'hospital-acquired' conditions (SPH reduces falls and subsequent injuries and costs, SPH reduces pressure ulcers and subsequent treatment and costs)
• Patient safety and patient satisfaction
• Implementing evidence based practice (EBP)
• Reducing workers compensation claims for musculoskeletal injuries
• Reducing ‘sick days’ due to fatigue and ‘aches and pains’
• Legislation – OSHA, State

Implementing an effective Safe Patient Handling program, however, is challenging. Many organizations have spent many thousands of dollars on equipment only to see it stored in an unused bathroom.

In order for a Safe Patient Handling program to be successful and sustainable, there needs to be a culture change. Although this needs to be at all levels of the organization, there needs to be a change in nurse's attitudes so that they become less self sacrificing and embrace the very strong evidence for these programs, with the full knowledge that this change will improve the care that they provide to their patients.

What can Visioning HealthCare offer you?

• Consultancy service during any stage of your SPH program.
• Organizational and Unit Risk Assessment & Analysis with a report that identifies recommended equipment, what it will cost you and a variety of options to implement a SPH Program.
• Outcomes driven program that represents the values of Magnet™ and looks at qualitative and quantitative outcomes in line with implementing EBP.
• Strategies to introduce and maintain a culture of change
• Program tailored to meet the needs of your organization.
• Leadership training to facilitate the cultural change
• Email and telephone mentoring to your SPH lead.

We have recently launched our Safe Patient Handling Newsletter "Mind Your Back!" Click on the links below to view past issues.

Mind Your Back! Issue 1 - September 2009

Mind Your Back! Issue 2 - December 2009

Check out our new program:                                         Unit Peer Leader: Making a Difference - Managing Change

Why choose Visioning HealthCare to work with you in implementing your Safe Patient Handling Program?

• We offer unbiased advice to help you select Safe Patient Handling equipment that is most appropriate to your facility and client group.
• We have international experience in implementing Safe Patient Handling programs.
• Our program is based on the premise that it needs to be practical and have immediate application to staff of all levels.
• We have experience in consulting and implementing in government and private healthcare facilities.
• Our consultants are multi-disciplinary so we understand all aspects of the healthcare profession and their individual challenges.
• We have expert knowledge in all the structural aspects of installing ceiling lifts to ensure that you get exactly what you want and need.
• We utilize what you already have and implement our program into your existing structures.
• Our approach is inclusive to all levels and disciplines in your organization.
• With practicing clinicians on our team, we understand the ‘real world’ of healthcare and the challenges of implementing this change.

Visioning HealthCare has over 13 years international experience in the field of SPH .Our lead consultant is a national speaker on the subject and has also published on the implementation of SPH programs. She is currently co-authoring a book on SPH which will be published in 2009.

As a company, we are continuously developing new resources in this field to help make it easier for you to make the change to a Safe Patient Handling culture.

For more information on our Safe Patient Moving & Handling Program or consultancy services, please contact us on 1-877-823-4310 or email info@visioninghealthcare.com.