Patient Handling Safety

Caregivers routinely do tasks such as moving a patient from a bed to a chair, transferring them from a stretcher to a bed, or simply repositioning them. These tasks often lead to strains, sprains, and serious injuries. This training course teaches healthcare workers how these injuries occur, and how to prevent them.

This course shows how algorithms can be used to determine how to best handle patients in different situations. Algorithms are a decision-making tool to help determine a safe and effective way to approach each patient handling task. Algorithms take into account patient factors, such as, whether they can bear their own weight, and whether they have upper body strength.

Viewers learn practical measures to help prevent injuries. For example, caregivers should not bend at the waist to lift a patient. Instead, bend at the knees, take a deep breath, tighten abdominal muscles, and use the legs to lift while keeping the back straight.

This course also explains when mechanical lift devices should be used. Viewers learn when mechanical lift devices are most helpful.

Take this online health and safety training course to learn how to prevent injuries when involved in patient handling.

   This course is in the Video On Demand format, to read about Video On Demand features click here.

Caregivers who routinely handle patients

• Introduction
• Patient Handling And Caregiver Injuries
• Algorithms, Patient Assessment And Body Mechanics
• Repositioning A Patient In Bed
• Lateral Transfer From Bed To Stretcher
• Stand And Pivot From Bed To Chair
• Mechanical Lift Devices
• Conclusion

• PowerLift: Lifting Techniques For A Healthy Back
• Preventing Back Injuries: To The Point
• Safe Lifting In Office Environments