Authors (including presenting author) :
YUEN MYK, LAI WSW, CHEUNG SY, CHAN OF, NG WP, LAM CM, LAI KKD, WOO LC, SZE YMS, LEE SCP
Affiliation :
Medical and Geriatric, Shatin Hospital.
Introduction :
From 2014-2017, the data showed that 60% of injuries on duty (IOD) were related to patient lifting in our department. Moreover, there were patient incidents related to the improper use of electric hoist which had been reported in other hospitals.
This project aims to investigate factors causing staff and patient injuries related to patient lifting. It was found that low use of electric hoist was the main contributing factor causing staff injuries. We further identified four factors which might hinder staff using electric hoist in patient lifting. They were 1) no structured workflow to guide staff when to use electric hoist, 2) insufficient knowledge on using electric hoist in particular to junior nurses and new supporting staff, 3) outdated ceiling hoist machines, and 4) crowded ward environment affecting use of portable hoist at bedside.
Objectives :
To reinforce proper use of electric hoist and to enable patient and operator’s safety when lifting of patient.
Methodology :
A workflow (attached)was developed to standardize the use of electric hoists and slings. Staff education with train-the-trainer(TTT) approach were conducted on the safe use of electric hoist. Electric ceiling hoist would be replaced during ward renovation. Smaller size lockers were used in crowded ward area.
The project has been implemented since Jan 2019 in 10 Medicine and Geriatric wards. Compliance audit on proper use of electric hoist was conducted for all nurses and PCAs in Sep-Nov 2019. Surprise check on the compliance of workflow was also conducted in Nov 2019. Number of IOD related to manual handing would be collected and compared after project implementation.
Result & Outcome :
Total 81 staff participated in the TTT educational talks, 20 were PCAs and 61 were nurses. Total 210 staff were audited in the compliance audit. The overall compliance rate was 100%. Overall, 95% bed or chair bounded patients used electric hoist in surprise check. Staff and patient injury rate related to patient lifting was zero from Jan 2019 to present.
