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774 Safe Patient Handling Program
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Implementation to Achieve Full Benefits

Careful implementation is required to achieve the full benefits of safe patient handling programs.

Nurse helping patient using gait belt
Safe patient handling programs involve employee involvement.

These are just a few of the business reasons to invest in safe patient handling solutions to ensure that patients are handled with care and dignity. Overwhelming evidence suggests not only that safe patient handling is a wise investment that can reduce worker injuries, but that having policies, procedures, and products that enhance safe patient handling can be good for a hospital's bottom line. To achieve the fullest possible benefit, however, hospitals need to consider more than just what type of equipment to buy.

Successful safe patient handling programs also involve:

  • a comprehensive assessment of the nature of patient and worker needs
  • full support from administration and key managers
  • employee involvement
  • policies that encourage the safest techniques for handling patients
  • the right amount of equipment that is right for the job
  • adequate, convenient storage and maintenance of equipment
  • education and training
  • ongoing evaluation and improvement

Without the components above, your hospital's culture may not be ready to embrace the new program, putting your investment at risk.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-5. Evidence suggests that safe patient handling can be _____ for a hospital's bottom line.