Did you know that more than half of all time-loss musculoskeletal injuries are due to patient handling? VCH’s new Safe Patient Handling policy, replacing the current No Manual Lift policy, aims to promote safe patient handling, improve quality of care outcomes and keep both staff and patients safe.

Key points of the policy

The New Safe Patient Handling policy:

• applies to all VCH staff who assist patients/clients/residents in moving (transferring, repositioning and other care tasks);
• is posted on the VCH intranet MSIP page (see #2) and the Policy Net page; and
• ensures that staff exposure to MSI risk factors associated with patient handing is reduced and eliminated where possible.

Use ceiling lifts to mitigate risk of injury!

The policy uses clearer language in relation to safe patient handling (see sec. 2.1). Staff members are expected to use ceiling lifts for all patient handling tasks (e.g. transferring, repositioning, or with appropriate care activities) unless:

• the patient is able to consistently follow directions and is able to reposition or transfer independently or,
• the patient is able to consistently follow directions and the force required by Staff to assist the patient to reposition or transfer is 35lbs or less.

Supports for staff

There are many resources available to staff on the Workplace Health MSIP intranet site including videos related to safe patient handling. Your managers, supervisors and local MSIP Advisors are also available to support you and answer any questions you may have.

Remember, we are all responsible for working safely to promote a healthy workplace and minimize the risk of injury to staff, patients, clients and residents.