Fewer Staff Injuries Linked to Safer Patient Handling

Hospitals that implement safe patient handling and moving policies may have fewer injuries among healthcare workers, according to a new study. The researchers analyzed data on 1,832 patient care providers at two U.S. hospitals – one that started a safety program and one without any in place. At the hospital that implemented safe patient handling policies, the risk of neck and shoulder injuries declined 32 percent in a year, the odds of lifting and exertion injuries dropped 27 percent and the chances of pain and inflammation decreased 22 percent. Click here for the study.