Areas of investigation
1. Familiarise yourself with equipment needed for patient handling
The need for manual handling should be avoided where reasonably practicable, and the risk reduced when manual handling cannot be avoided. In general, manual handling should be minimised to the greatest extent possible.
One of the way of reducing the risks associated with manual handling include providing mechanical aids. Well maintained handling aids should be available, for example, rolling and sliding devices should be used in order to minimise supporting, pushing and pulling. Other types of equipment are:
- wheelchairs
- hoists both mechanical and electrical
- sliding equipment
- Turntables
- handling slings
2. Demonstrate an awareness of the size of the problem in patient handling either at home or in care. Demonstrate an understanding of needs for handling the elderly.
Back pain affects about 80% of the population in Western countries and sadly the indications are that it would seem to be on the increase.
Train-graffiti
Patient Recognition Month Poster
A patient having his blood pressure taken by a phy...Why is this ? With advanced technology and improvements in working methods, we should expect to have fewer physical complaints . This is not so.
Manual handling injuries are the greatest cause of lost time at work. Very significant number of accidents at work (around 20%) are related to handling and lifting.
There are many health and safety problems in hospitals which regularly and unnecessarily affect staff. Few of the common problems are related to manual handling and lifting. For instance, lifting of patients is well known to cause back injuries. The precautions should be taken in order to minimise this problem. The law requires lifting of patients should be minimised, and where it is not possible, adequate aids and training must be provided. Back injuries caused by lifting of patients is just one of the major problems known to occur...