title: Friction-reducing devices for lateral patient transfers: a clinical evaluation.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of lateral transfer devices compared with the traditional draw sheet method in acute care settings through subjective feedback of caregivers actually using the devices. Every 2 weeks, the eight participating acute care units each received one of the devices, which had been randomly selected. Data were collected through caregiver surveys, which rated comfort, ease of use, perceived injury risk, time efficiency, and patient safety. An overall performance rating was calculated as the sum of these five categories. Caregivers rated air-assisted devices significantly higher (p < .05) than other devices. Lateral transfer devices are recommended over the traditional draw sheet method for performing lateral patient transfers. These friction-reducing devices are a cost-effective solution to the load of lateral patient transfers and should be favorably considered when purchasing patient-handling technologies.
authors.affiliation: VISN8 Patient Safety Center, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baptiste
authors.forename: Sruthi V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Boda
authors.forename: Audrey L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019567:Back Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D017276:Friction; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health; D017751:Safety Management; D015144:Southeastern United States; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014187:Transportation of Patients / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*