Wy'East Medical - Healthcare Articles

Implementation of a lift team

(reprinted from Journal of Healthcare Safety, Compliance & Infection Control™)

Abstract: Conclusions reached by a medical center task force that studied the problem of occupational back injuries caused by patient lifting. The task force recommended implementation of a lift team, developed a business plan for presenting their findings to administrative sponsors, and performed a cost/benefit analysis of implementing the lift team. The analysis found that implementation would reduce cost associated with lost work days by 85%. Cost savings to operations the first year of implementation was projected to be $83,584.

Lift Teams – A one-year study: Another success story in an acute-care hospital

(reprinted from Journal of Healthcare Safety, Compliance & Infection Control™)

Abstract: Results of a one-year study in an acute-care tertiary hospital to test the viability of using lift teams to reduce workers’ compensation claims due to lifting patients. Injuries during the study period were reduced from 22 lost-time injuries to six. Days lost were reduced from 744 to zero, and workers’ compensation costs were reduced from $224,000 (hard costs) in the prior year to $14,000 during the study year.

Lift team intervention: A six-year picture

(reprinted from Journal of Healthcare Safety, Compliance & Infection Control™)

Abstract: A six-year review of the results of the lift team model as an injury management solution. The study concludes that lift team intervention has reduced the frequency and severity of nursing injuries that result from patient handling. Lift team intervention is believed to have improved nursing morale and patient satisfaction. Lift team intervention programs do prevent work-related injuries and should be considered by patient care institutions.

Reducing back injury in nursing: A case study using mechanical equipment and a hospital transport team as a lift team

(reprinted from Journal of Healthcare Safety, Compliance & Infection Control™)

Abstract: Results of a one-year study to evaluate a method to reduce back injury in nursing in an acute-care facility. The method used a pre-existing transport team as a lift team and added the proper amount of mechanical patient-lifting equipment. The heath care facility cross-trained a transport team to become the designated patient lifters. Nurses were instructed by policy to not lift patients (manual lifting was forbidden). Two days of modified duty were reported during the study year for a total compensable injury cost of $336, compared with $23,000 and $63,000 in the two years prior to the study.

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Our Zero Lift Policy: Wy'East's unique, patented lateral patient transfer chairs are designed to minimize risk and to enable caregivers to move patients safely and comfortably without lifting.