title: Mobilization of the obese patient and prevention of injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Obese patients are difficult to transport between emergency departments, imaging facilities, operating rooms, intensive care units, acute care units, and rehabilitation facilities. Each move, along with turning, bathing, and access to bathrooms, poses risks of injury to patients and personnel. Similarly, inadequate mobilization raises the risk of pressure ulcers. The costs can be prohibitive.
  
  
  METHODS
  On 6 pilot units, mobilization of patients was delegated to trained lift team technicians who covered the units in pairs, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, to assist with moving and lifting of patients weighing 200 pounds or more, with a Braden Scale score of 18 or less and/or the presence of pressure ulcers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In fiscal year 2012, hospital-acquired pressure ulcers on pilot units decreased by 43% (from 61 to 35). Patient handling-related employee injuries on pilot units decreased by 38.5% (from 13 to 8). Employee satisfaction related to organizational commitment to employee safety and impact on job satisfaction was positively impacted by implementation of the lift team. With the reduction in employee injuries and the fall in the prevalence of pressure ulcers, the adoption of the lift team program decreased costs by $493,293.00.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementation of lift teams on pilot nursing units decreased patient handling-related employee injuries, resulting in sharp improvements in quality patient care and reduced costs.
authors: *Vidant Medical Center †Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
authors: Christine M
authors: CM
authors: Walden
authors: Scott B
authors: SB
authors: Bankard
authors: Bradford
authors: B
authors: Cayer
authors: William B
authors: WB
authors: Floyd
authors: Herbert G
authors: HG
authors: Garrison
authors: Todd
authors: T
authors: Hickey
authors: Linda D
authors: LD
authors: Holfer
authors: Michael F
authors: MF
authors: Rotondo
authors: Walter J
authors: WJ
authors: Pories
mesh_terms: D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D055805:Moving and Lifting Patients / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D009657:North Carolina; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000191:economics; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D058996:Quality Improvement; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data