Background: Theprevalenceofmusculoskeletalinjuriesamongnursingstaffhasbeenhighdue
to patient handling and movement. Internationally, healthcare organizations are integrating
technological equipment into patient handling and movement to improve safety. Although
evidence shows that safe patient handling programs reduce work-related musculoskeletal
injuries in nursing staff, it is not clear how safe these new programs are for patients.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore adverse patient events associated
with safe patient handling programs and preventive approaches in US Veterans Affairs
medical centers.
Methods: The study surveyed a convenience sample of safe patient handling program
managers from 51 US Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers to collect data on
skin-related and fall-related adverse patient events.
Results: Both skin- and fall-related adverse patient events associated with safe patient
handling occurred at VA Medical centers. Skin-related events included abrasions,
contusions, pressure ulcers and lacerations. Fall-related events included sprains and
strains, fractures, concussions and bleeding. Program managers described contextual
factors in these adverse events and ways of preventing the events.
Conclusions: The use of safe patient handling equipment can pose risks for patients. This
study found that organizational factors, human factors and technology factors were
associated with patient adverse events. The findings have implications for how nursing
professionals can implement safe patient handling programs in ways that are safe for both
staff and patients.