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774 Safe Patient Handling Program
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Reducing Employee Injuries

Hospitals with successful safe patient handling programs have found they can significantly reduce the number of employee injuries and lost work days from injuries.

Medical staff rubbing back of neck as if in stress
Safe patient handling has been associated with not only fewer injuries but also a decrease in the severity of injuries.

For example, injury rates were significantly lower after safe patient handling programs were introduced in 23 high-risk units across seven Southeast Veterans Health Administration facilities. The injury rate fell from 24.0 per 100 workers per year to 16.9, a 30 percent reduction.

Safe patient handling has been associated with not only fewer injuries but also a decrease in the severity of injuries.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-4. Safe patient handling has been associated with a(n) ______ in the severity of injuries.