Patients who are uncooperative and combative always have a Safe Patient Handling score of 4 – and consider using a full body sling with a ceiling lift. This eliminates the need for the caregiver to lift, carry, or lower the patient. When mechanical lifts were used to lift patients staff injuries were reduced by 73.5% at a training center in the Commonwealth of Virginia.6 Injury occurs when there is a mismatch between physical capacity to lift and physical requirements of the job.7 When using an air-assisted lateral transfer device, move feet over first and then the head. Always transfer to a surface even or ½ inch below the starting surface.27 Staff should try to avoid bending over the bed and stretching to reach the matt – one should slide the matt towards the other staff member to avoid awkward positioning and possible injury.4, 21 The number of caregivers is determined by patient weight and their ability to assist. If unable to assist and over 200# use 3 caregivers. Add one caregiver for every additional 100# of patient weight.4 When a patient lifting, moving, or repositioning task requires staff to lift over 35 pounds, the patient should be considered fully dependent and assistive devices should be used. When taking care of a patient with pressure ulcers, take care to avoid shear forces during transfers.27
4, 6, 7, 21, 27 Footnotes found in the Scoring & Algorithms for Safe Patient Handling & Mobility