Providing therapy services can be a physically challenging job at times. Taking good care of yourself allows you to provide better care for your patients. By pre-planning activities and taking caution, you can help prevent injury and avoid needless pain.
Most muscle strain injuries occur when therapists are transferring patients, total, or assisted lifts. In addition, sudden unexpected movements contribute to many employee injuries. Being prepared for the unexpected may prevent future injuries.
Key actions to consider prior to lifting a patient would include:
- Plan Your Movements Ahead of Time: Know what the patient’s care plan (POC) requires, evaluate the environment moving obstacles, ensure you have necessary equipment, and rearrange the work area to reduce the amount of bending, reaching, and/or twisting required.
- Consider the Size and Weight of the Resident:Heavy, frail, two-person assist, or mechanical assist device? Answer these questions prior to starting the transfer or lift.
- Know the Level of Dependency: Review POC or if appropriate ask if they can bear weight, how much cueing is required, can they pivot safely, ensure they understand what you are trying to accomplish.
- Know Patient’s Level of Cooperation: Do they have a history of combativeness or frighten easily, be prepared for sudden movements, is the patient willing and able to cooperate, are there cognitive issues that need to be considered
- Teamwork: If you are willing to help other team members when they need assistance, they will more than likely be readily willing to assist you when needed. Always ask for help when you need it, do not try to muscle through a scenario that puts both you and the patient at risk for injury.
Preplan and know your risk for injury. Ask yourself, “is this patient easily frightened which might cause me to strain?” Always talk through a procedure to help relieve anxiety, many patients will tense up during a lift or transfer because they are afraid of falling. Being prepared, reassuring, and using appropriate tools will help decrease the possibility of injury, to both you and your patient.
Gait belts are essential when transferring or ambulating a patient. A gait belt is an assistive device a therapist or caregiver uses to assist patients when transferring, moving, or ambulating. Gait belts help provide a secure point of contact. Used correctly, gait belts can help reduce risk or injury to the patient and caregiver resulting from a loss of balance or uncontrolled fall. An appropriately used gait belt makes it easier for you to assist in ambulation and eliminates the need to grab frail skin or clothing.
Use of assist devices such as a hoyer or sit to stand device requires competency of staff and should be evaluated to include a return demonstration prior to independent use. Anytime a new device is introduced to the facility, you have a responsibility to ensure you know how to safely operate it before use.
The bottom line is when you are aware of the surroundings and situation you are more prepared to address them in a professional manner. Knowing you are engaging in an activity that may put stress on your back or joints you should prepare for that possibility. Do this every time, prepare, and consider best options to keep you and your patients safe from injury. And do not forget to: Always Ask for Help When You Need It!
Resources:
Key Risk Safety Connections: Gait Belts: If I Just Had Handles!
Key Risk Safety Connections: Patient Lifting: Be Prepared