PATIENT HANDLING Handling Patients


Doesn’t Have To Be A Risky Business


Scott Andrews, Director at NHG, a healthcare supply provider to care homes and the healthcare industry, shares key considerations for patient handling.


Moving and handling patients is a key part of the working day for people in health and social care, but if it isn’t done safely, it can cause serious injury for both service users and staff.


There’s a lot to consider when you begin moving patients, and below, I’ve identified a checklist to ensure you get it right.


Risk Assessment &


Carer Training The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) identifies a risk assessment as the first step to successful patient handling.


It’s essential that patient handling risk assessments are carried out, as they help to identify problems, and ensure that the workforce and service users are safeguarded.


Things to consider in a risk assessment include the task, the person carrying it out, the needs of the patient and the environment it is being conducted.


The task: • What does it involve?


• Where does the patient need to be moved?


• What type of equipment is needed to support the transfer?


• Are there arrangements in place to reduce risk of fall?


The person carrying it out:


• Do they need to have a certain level of strength/height?


• Have they been trained correctly in patient handling and how to use equipment safely?


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The patient: • How heavy are they?


• Do they have any health problems that need to be considered?


• Can they help with transfers?


The environment: • Are there space constraints?


• Is the floor uneven, slippery or unstable?


• Is the lighting suitable?


• Where are they being transported to and is it nearby / easy to get to?


By answering the questions above you’ll be able to reduce the likelihood of risks occurring and ensure you meet legal requirements.


Use the Correct Equipment Where possible, you should always avoid manual handling and use equipment such as hoists and slide sheets, to avoid injury and musculoskeletal issues. Added to this the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) state that every year more than a third of all work-related injuries are due to manual handling.


From standing hoists and mobile hoists to bath lifts, slings, transfer boards, electric profiling beds, wheelchairs and lifting cushions, there are a wide variety of patient moving and handling equipment available to care providers.


However, the type and amount of equipment you require for your care environment will vary according to the needs of the patients and care service users.


When choosing equipment you should consider the needs of the individual, and their level of independence, as well as the safety of the individual and staff.


At NHG, we offer a range of moving and handling equipment including the Steiss Combi-gate, which is a ceiling hoist system that uses technology to improve safety and increase comfort for the carer and patient. The system makes rail transfers simple and failsafe because of its user indicators built in to the wall switch.


Once you’ve identified the right piece of equipment, you’ll need to ensure you know how to operate it.


Typical operating problems identified by the HSE include selecting the wrong size sling, which can lead to discomfort for the patient or the person slipping through. Other areas of concern include incompatibility of sling and hoist which can result in an insecure attachment. Failure of equipment due to lack of maintenance is also an issue flagged by HSE. The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) apply when lifting equipment is used and they also offer thorough maintenance advice which can be found here. Overturning of a hoist due to uneven surfaces or transporting a patient over a long distance and failure to use a safety harness, belt or attachment correctly, is another operating difficulty that requires attention.


www.nh-group.co.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk


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