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In healthcare settings, nursing professionals are often required to perform manual handling tasks, such as lifting, transferring, and repositioning patients, which can put them at risk of injury.
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, musculoskeletal injuries are a leading cause of occupational illness among healthcare workers.
To mitigate this risk, it is necessary for nursing professionals to employ proper manual handling techniques, which not only protect their own health and wellbeing but also ensure the quality of care they provide to their patients.
This article will outline the necessary manual handling techniques that nursing professionals should adopt to prevent injuries and maintain a safe working environment and the importance of manual handling courses for carers.
Common Manual Handling Tasks in Nursing
Transferring patients between beds and wheelchairs is a frequent manual handling task in nursing.
This task requires careful planning, coordination, and proper lifting techniques to ensure the safety of both the patient and the nurse.
Nurses must assess the patient's weight, mobility, and any physical limitations before attempting a transfer.
Another critical aspect of manual lifting patients from the floor to a bed or vice versa is the need to maintain proper body mechanics.
Nurses should keep their back straight, bend at the knees, and rather than relying on their back use their leg muscles to lift.
This helps to distribute the weight more evenly and reduces the likelihood of injury.
The following are the most common manual handling and movement hazards, according to TILEO classification system:
- Tasks are physically demanding, require long distance travel, and offer little opportunity for rest.
- Individual is a term that refers to the unique circumstances of a worker, such as their education level, experience at work, familiarity with completing the task, physical capabilities, and injury histories.
- Weight: objects/people which are too large, heavy, hard to reach or grab, unbalanced or unstable, or with contents that can move can all be a risk.
- Environment Dangerous conditions caused by a lack working space, uneven or slippery floors, unstable platforms and heat stress.
- Other factors: includes repetitive activities performed in a frenetic manner and prolonged periods of work followed by little or no relaxation.
Manual Handling Principles
1 - Using Proper Body Mechanics
Using proper body mechanics is imperative in manual handling.
This involves maintaining a stable posture, keeping the body close to the load, and using leg muscles to lift instead of back muscles.
Proper body mechanics also involve avoiding awkward postures, bending, and twisting, which can put unnecessary pressure on the muscles and joints.
2 - Assessment Of Load Before Handling
An imperative principle of manual handling is assessing the load before handling it.
This involves evaluating the weight, size, and shape of the load, as well as the distance it needs to be moved.
Muscles are designed to work together to produce movement, and when lifting, it's imperative to engage the correct muscles to avoid injury.
Assessing the load before handling it allows healthcare workers to plan their lift, engage the correct muscles, and avoid putting unnecessary strain on their back.
3 - Use Of Equipment For Safe Lifting Techniques And Transferring
Maintaining a neutral spine and using protective equipment such as hoists, slings, and slide boards can significantly reduce the risk of injury when performing manual handling in aged care or transferring patients. .
These devices can help distribute the weight of the patient evenly, reducing the strain on healthcare workers' muscles and joints.
4 - Coordination And Communication
On every manual handling task, coordination and communication are crucial.
Healthcare workers must work together as a team, communicating clearly and effectively to ensure a safe movement and efficient transfer.
Relaxed and calm communication can help reduce anxiety and stress, allowing healthcare workers to focus on the task at hand and provide quality of care to their patients.
Manual Handling Techniques for Nursing
Prepare and Evaluate
Adequate preparation and evaluation are crucial before performing any manual handling task.
Any nursing professional should assess the situation, consider the patient's weight and mobility, and plan safe lifting techniques accordingly.
Place Your Feet for Stability
A necessary aspect of manual handling is placing your feet correctly for stability.
This involves standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, with one foot slightly in front of the other, and your body weight evenly distributed between both feet.
Planning and positioning are key to maintaining balance and stability.
By placing your feet correctly, you can generate power and control when lifting, reducing the risk of injury to yourself and the patient.
Maintain a Steady Posture
Handling patients requires maintaining a stable posture to avoid awkward postures that can lead to musculoskeletal injuries.
Keep your back straight, engage your core muscles, and avoid twisting or bending.
This posture will help you maintain control and balance, reducing the likelihood of injury and ensuring a safe transfer or lift.
Keep a Firm Hold
This involves grasping the patient securely, but not too tightly, and maintaining a secure grip throughout the transfer or lift.
To achieve this, nursing professionals should use proper body mechanics, keeping their arms close to their body and using their leg muscles to generate power.
Exercise Caution
Nursing professionals should exercise caution when performing manual handling tasks, especially when dealing with heavy loads or patients with mobility issues.
They should assess the situation, consider the risk factors, and plan accordingly to minimise the risk of injury.
Feet placement, posture, and grip are necessary in maintaining control and balance, reducing the likelihood of injury and ensuring a safe transfer or lift.
Lower Slowly
This requires slow and controlled movements, using proper body mechanics and maintaining a firm grip.
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, keep your back straight, and engage your core muscles to maintain control and balance, which helps reduce the risk of injury.
Hazards of Patient Handling
Despite the best intentions of healthcare professionals, patient handling can be a hazardous task.
It is necessary to acknowledge the potential risks involved in patient handling to ensure the safety of both patients and caregivers.
Risks associated with patient handling
With the increasing demand for healthcare services, patient handling has become a significant concern.
Healthcare workers are at risk of injury while performing manual handling tasks, such as lifting, transferring, and repositioning patients.
Common injuries and their causes
Musculoskeletal injuries, particularly to the back, neck, and shoulders, are common among healthcare workers.
It’s causes can be attributed to various factors, including awkward postures, repetitive movements, and heavy loads.
Importance of hazard assessment and mitigation strategies
Patient handling injuries can lead to reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, and compromised patient care.
The importance of hazard assessment and mitigation strategies cannot be overstated.
Proper lifting techniques, ergonomic principles, and the use of protective equipment can significantly minimise the risks associated with patient handling.
What Are Some Unsafe Manual Handling Techniques?
After understanding the importance of proper manual handling techniques, it's equally crucial to identify and avoid unsafe manual handling practises that lead to musculoskeletal injuries and other health problems.
Manual handling tasks involve various risks, and healthcare workers, particularly in aged care and hospital settings, are more prone to injuries due to repetitive movements and awkward postures.
Bending or twisting while lifting
Manually handling patients or heavy loads while bending or twisting can put immense strain on the back, leading to injuries and long-term damage.
This technique not only compromises the safety of healthcare workers but also affects the quality of care provided to patients.
Lifting with an arched back
Twisting or lifting with an arched back can cause the spine to curve abnormally, increasing the likelihood of injury.
This unsafe technique can lead to musculoskeletal disorders, particularly in the lower back, and must be avoided at all costs.
Carrying heavy loads without assistance
Twisting or carrying heavy loads without assistance can lead to accidents and injuries, compromising the safety of both healthcare workers and patients.
This technique not only increases the risk of injury but also affects the quality of care provided, particularly in patient transfer tasks.
Ways to Prevent Hazards and Risks?
Not all manual handling tasks can be eliminated, but healthcare workers can minimise the risks associated with them by taking certain precautions.
Determine the dangers
Risks of injury are inherent in manual handling tasks, especially when healthcare workers are required to lift, push, or pull heavy loads.
To prevent hazards, it is important to determine the dangers involved in each task.
Examine the risks
Patient care workers must examine the risks associated with each manual handling task, considering factors such as patient weight, mobility, and medical condition.
Determine the likelihood of injury and identify potential risks, such as musculoskeletal injuries, awkward postures, and repetitive movements.
This will help healthcare workers develop strategies to mitigate these risks and ensure a safe movement.
Control measures and equipment
Patient care workers should use control measures and equipment to minimise the risks associated with manual handling tasks.
This includes using protective equipment, such as gloves and back supports, and implementing proper lifting techniques.
Hazards can be reduced by using manual handling equipment, such as hoists and slide sheets, which can assist healthcare workers in transferring patients safely.
Additionally, healthcare workers should ensure that they have the necessary manual handling skills and training to perform tasks safely.
Record and review safety measures
Equipment used for manual handling tasks should be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure it is in good working condition.
Healthcare workers should also record and review safety measures, including incident reports and near misses, to identify areas for improvement.
Continuous improvement and training
Healthcare workers should participate in regular training sessions to update their manual handling skills and knowledge.
Examine the effectiveness of current safety protocols and identify opportunities for improvement.
This may involve consulting with experts, reviewing industry guidelines, and conducting risk assessments to ensure that healthcare workers are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform manual handling tasks safely.
Learning Outcomes for manual handling courses for carers
Manual handling courses for carers focus on giving you the skills, knowledge, and confidence to handle patients safely.
These courses are tailored for healthcare professionals and emphasise best practices in manual handling to minimise injury risks for both carers and patients.
By completing a manual handling course for healthcare, you'll learn how to perform your duties safely and effectively, ensuring a safer environment for everyone involved.
After completing a manual handling course for healthcare, healthcare workers will:
- Describe the risks of injury associated with manual handling.
- Provide person-centred care, you must be aware of the limitations and needs of those whom you are caring for.
- Learn more about the types and injuries that can result from manual handling by support workers.
- Plan to minimise the risk of injury for yourself and others by using the WHS Act guidelines.
- Keep detailed records and monitor their management.
- Vertebral awareness, body posture and safe foot placement to avoid musculoskeletal injuries or disorders.
- Maintain compliance with all legal and ethical requirements while maintaining high standards of patient care.
Additional Tips for Safe Patient Handling
- Using proper body mechanics, such as bending at the knees and keeping the back straight, to reduce the strain on the musculoskeletal system.
- Avoiding awkward postures and repetitive movements that can lead to fatigue and injury.
- Using manual handling equipment, such as slide boards and hoists, to reduce the physical effort required to move patients.
- Implementing proper lifting techniques, such as log rolls, to minimise the risk of injury to both the patient and the caregiver.
Importance of Training and Ongoing Education
Importantly, manual handling training is not a one-time event, but rather an ongoing process that requires continuous education and practise.
Healthcare workers must stay up to date with the latest manual handling techniques and guidelines to ensure they are providing the best possible care to their patients.
Incorporating Ergonomic Principles into Daily Routines
An important aspect of safe patient handling is incorporating ergonomic principles into daily routines.
This includes designing hospital settings and patient rooms to minimise the risk of injury, such as using hospital beds with built-in lifts and transfer aids.
For example, using patient lifts and transfer aids can reduce the strain on caregivers' leg muscles and back, reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
Encouraging a Culture of Safety among Care Teams
Using a team-based approach to patient care helps promote a culture of safety and collaboration among care teams.
This includes encouraging open communication and teamwork to identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
Skills such as effective communication, problem-solving, and teamwork are important in promoting a culture of safety and collaboration among care teams.
Safe Patient Handling in Specialised Care Settings:
- Paediatric Care:
- Approach: Use gentle, nurturing techniques.
- Equipment: Employ paediatric lifts or slings for safe transfers.
- Consideration: Adapt handling based on the child’s developmental stage.
- Geriatric Care:
- Challenges: Manage conditions like osteoporosis or arthritis affecting mobility.
- Techniques: Use proper methods and equipment to prevent injury.
- Focus: As the ageing population grows, prioritise safe manual handling to prevent musculoskeletal injuries.
- Rehabilitation and Therapy Settings:
- Adaptations: Use specialised equipment like rehabilitation lifts or transfer boards.
- Risks: Be aware of repetitive movements and awkward postures that can cause injuries.
- Best Practices: Prioritise proper body mechanics and proper lifting techniques to ensure safe patient transfers and quality care.
The Role of Technology in Safe Patient Handling
The shift towards technology-based solutions is largely driven by the need to minimise manual handling tasks, which are a significant contributor to musculoskeletal injuries among healthcare professionals.
Lifting Aids and Transfer Devices
The use of lifting aids and transfer devices has become increasingly popular in healthcare settings.
These devices enable healthcare workers to safely transfer patients with minimal manual effort, reducing the risk of injury and strain.
Examples of lifting aids and transfer devices include slide boards, transfer belts, and hydraulic lifts.
Electronic Patient Lifting Systems
Electronic patient lifting systems are designed to facilitate safe and comfortable patient transfers, while also reducing the physical demands on healthcare workers.
These systems typically consist of a lifting motor, a sling, and a control system, which work together to lift and transfer patients with ease.
A key benefit of electronic patient lifting systems is that they enable healthcare workers to focus on providing quality care, rather than expending energy on manual handling tasks.
Exoskeletons and Wearable Devices
Devices such as exoskeletons and wearable devices are being increasingly used in healthcare settings to support healthcare workers during manual handling tasks.
These devices provide additional strength and support, enabling healthcare workers to lift and transfer patients with greater ease and safety.
Wearable devices, in particular, have been shown to be effective in reducing the physical demands of manual handling tasks.
To wrap up
With this in mind, it is crucial for nursing professionals to prioritise proper manual handling techniques to minimise the risk of injury and ensure the quality of care for their patients.
By incorporating these techniques into their daily practise, healthcare workers reduce the likelihood of musculoskeletal injuries, improve patient outcomes, and maintain a safe working environment.
By investing in manual handling training courses, healthcare facilities empower their staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide optimal care while protecting themselves from potential risks.