title: Implications for patient safety in the use of safe patient handling equipment: a national survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries among nursing staff has been high due to patient handling and movement. Internationally, healthcare organizations are integrating technological equipment into patient handling and movement to improve safety. Although evidence shows that safe patient handling programs reduce work-related musculoskeletal injuries in nursing staff, it is not clear how safe these new programs are for patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to explore adverse patient events associated with safe patient handling programs and preventive approaches in US Veterans Affairs medical centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study surveyed a convenience sample of safe patient handling program managers from 51 US Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers to collect data on skin-related and fall-related adverse patient events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both skin- and fall-related adverse patient events associated with safe patient handling occurred at VA Medical centers. Skin-related events included abrasions, contusions, pressure ulcers and lacerations. Fall-related events included sprains and strains, fractures, concussions and bleeding. Program managers described contextual factors in these adverse events and ways of preventing the events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of safe patient handling equipment can pose risks for patients. This study found that organizational factors, human factors and technology factors were associated with patient adverse events. The findings have implications for how nursing professionals can implement safe patient handling programs in ways that are safe for both staff and patients.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, College of Health and Human Services, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC, United States; Health Services Research and Development Center of Innovation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (CIDRR), VISN 8 Patient Safety Center of Inquiry, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL, United States. Electronic address: celnitsk@uncc.edu.
authors.forename: Christine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Elnitsky
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research and Development Center of Innovation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (CIDRR), VISN 8 Patient Safety Center of Inquiry, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL, United States.
authors.forename: Jason D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lind
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research and Development Center of Innovation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (CIDRR), VISN 8 Patient Safety Center of Inquiry, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL, United States.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rugs
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research and Development Center of Innovation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research (CIDRR), VISN 8 Patient Safety Center of Inquiry, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL, United States.
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Powell-Cope
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D009740:Nursing Staff; D009784:Occupational Diseases; D061214:Patient Safety
keywords: Moving and lifting; Nursing; Qualitative analysis; Quantitative analysis; Safety; Supplies and equipment; Technology; Wounds and injuries