title: Long-term effects of safe patient handling program on staff injuries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the effectiveness of a safe patient handling program (STEPS) at an inpatient rehabilitation unit in reducing injury due to patient transfers. Our objectives were to compare number of staff injuries during the 1.5-year period post training to pre training (baseline) and to determine whether reduction in injuries was sustained long term during a 2.5-year post training period.
  
  
  METHODS
  All nursing and therapy staff as well as new hires received STEPS training. Periodic retraining was not provided.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of injuries was significantly reduced at post training compared to baseline (p = 0.01). However, the reductions in injuries were not sustained long term.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We estimated a cost benefit of $3.71 for every dollar invested in retraining based on injury reduction realized during the post training period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Retraining is likely to have a positive cost benefit when it results in maintaining reduction in staff injuries.
authors.affiliation: Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Allina Health, Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Theis
authors.forename: Marsha J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Finkelstein
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055805:Moving and Lifting Patients / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education*; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D061214:Patient Safety / Q000592:standards*; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods*; D013995:Time