More and more state and federal programs are requiring health care organizations to develop and implement safe patient handling and injury prevention standards. In 2010 Senator Al Franken introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate that would mandate OSHA to develop patient handling standards and health care organizations to develop safe patient handling programs. This means facilities must have mechanical lifting devices available for use on-site and staff must be trained to use them. This session will enable you to-
• Discuss the critical features a design team needs to consider in order to develop and support patient handling programs that address the requirements of pending federal legislation.
• List three factors, based on proposed legislation, that need to be included in a safe patient handling program to meet the needs of patients and staff.
• List three successful design strategies, based on a review of data provided, that can be adapted to existing facilities to enable effective and efficient patient handling and movement services.
• Describe the impact that instituting a safe patient handling program has, based on research and case studies, on patients and staff in terms of efficiencies and the provision of high-quality care.