What is Safe Patient Handling (SPH)?
It’s the law!!

Safe patient handling (SPH) means the use of
engineering controls, transfer aids, or assistive
devices whenever feasible and appropriate--instead
of manual lifting, to perform the acts of lifting,
transferring, and/or repositioning health care patients
and residents.
Source: RI General Law 23-17-59
Patient Floor Lift and Ceiling lift
Lifts, transfers, holds limbs, turns, or repositions a patient
Slings
Patient Assessment

The patient assessment includes, but is not limited to
evaluating the patient’s ability to:
– ambulate
– weight-bear through upper and lower extremities
– follow directions and/or cooperate
– Patient’s weight and/or BMI are also considered.
Patient Assessment

Movement of some patients may require special
consideration (i.e. musculoskeletal injury, tubes and
drains, medical contraindications).
Stand Assist Device


Assist patient going from sit to stand from bed, chair,
or toilet without having to manually lift her.
A safe way to have your patient work on standing
tolerance.
Trapeze


A trapeze can help a patient boost herself in bed.
Be aware of shearing forces to her skin.
Test Your SPH Knowledge 1

Generally speaking, safe patient handling means
that, whenever possible, you should use equipment
to move a patient instead of lifting or pulling on her.
a. true
b. false
Test Your SPH Knowledge 1

Generally speaking, safe patient handling means
that, whenever possible, you should use equipment
to move a patient instead of lifting or pulling on her.
a. true
b. false
Slippery Sheet

This friction-reducing device is used to laterally
transfer or boost a patient.
Bed Features

Raise the bed a few inches to help a patient
overcome gravity when going from sit to stand.
Be sure the patient’s feet are firmly on the ground.
Bariatric PREPAREDness

Know the weight capacities of your furniture.
Rollbord

Used to laterally transfer a patient
1
2
3
4
5
Environment Assessment

Prior to any handling task identify risks associated with
the distance the patient is to be moved, obstacles, weight
capacities of equipment and furniture, and other potential
hazards.
Bed Features

Elevate the bed to waist level when making the bed,
drawing blood, or performing any other patient care
tasks.
Why Should I Report an Incident?

Reporting may result in some of the following risk
prevention strategies:
– revised patient handling procedures
– repair/replacement of existing equipment
– new equipment trials
– staff training/retraining
Test Your SPH Knowledge 2

In Rhode Island, Safe Patient Handling is important
because
a. it’s the law
b. we want to minimize injury to our caregivers
c. we want to enhance the quality of patient care
d. all of the above
Test Your SPH Knowledge 2

In Rhode Island, Safe Patient Handling is important
because
a. it’s the law
b. we want to minimize injury to our caregivers
c. we want to enhance the quality of patient care
d. all of the above
Bed Features

Use the Trendelenberg feature whenever appropriate to
boost a patient with assist of gravity.
Some patients may not tolerate this position.
Transport Safety

Most transport injuries occur from frequent
deceleration down hill and around corners.
– Only push the patient as hard as it takes to propel
her forward.
– Anticipate turns ahead of time.
Limb Lifting Guidance Statement

The National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses and
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
developed guidance statements related to limb lifting:
–
Maximum weight for a one-handed lift is 11.1 pounds
and a two-handed lift, 22.2 pounds (which is the
approximate limb weight of a patient who weighs 165
pounds).
Did You Know…?

After 3 minutes of
continuous limb
holding, your strength is
29% of your initial lifting
strength?

After 3 minutes, the
lift’s strength is 100%!!
Bed Features

Raise the head of the bed to help the patient go from
supine to sit.
Bariatric Bed



Used with patients >
350 pounds and/or BMI
> 35-40
You can power drive
your patients in this
bed!
The handrails provide
excellent support for
patients who are
transferring in and out
of bed.
Protect Patients, Co-Workers, and
Yourself!
Do not lift or pull on
your patients…or allow
them to pull on you!

Use the SPH
equipment that is
provided to you!

Log Roll
Have
patient roll onto her
side, moving her
shoulders and hips as a
unit. Her knees should
hang off the edge of the
bed.
You can reduce unnecessary
spinal loading by getting
yourself out of bed this way as
well!
Test Your SPH Knowledge 3

Prior to moving a patient, it is important to consider:
a. her ability to participate in the mobility task
b. the effect of her medications
c. her weight
d. all of the above
Test Your SPH Knowledge 3

Prior to moving a patient, it is important to consider:
a. her ability to participate in the mobility task
b. the effect of her medications
c. her weight
d. all of the above