Life hacks for nursing - Part 5. Avoiding lifting injuries.

In this series of Life Hacks for Nurses we will be offering up tips and clever solutions to the problems we face every day. In Part 5 we take a look at 12 tips for avoiding lifting injuries.
Nurses are exposed to a wide range of occupational hazards – environmental, chemical and particularly musculoskeletal injuries of the hands, wrists, back and neck. And this is the area we are focusing on in this issue of Life Hacks for Nursing.
The truth is that there is no such thing as safe manual lifting, regardless of body mechanics, and that every episode of manually lifting, turning, or transferring patients can result in microinjuries to the spine. These injuries can be cumulative and result in a debilitating condition.
Factors that are increasing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries among nurses include; staff shortages, increasing work hours, casualised workforce, new skill mix, increasingly overweight population and an ageing workforce.
 

1. Invest in comfortable shoes that provide optimal arch and ankle support (that are also non-slip!)

 

1. Get plenty of rest, take time off and exercise. Overexertion when you are tired is a sure-fire way to injure yourself.

 

1. If a patient needs moving in any direction, stop and assess the situation first. Is the patient heavy or light? How far do they need to be moved? Is the patient docile or hostile? Are there obstructions in the way? Ask yourself, ‘can I do this or do I need help?’

 

1. The manual handling needs of each patient should be assessed by an RN involved in the person’s care to help prevent injury to nursing staff. This assessment will help you to know if your patient can assist you by bearing their own weight and manoeuvring themselves during the transfer.

 

1. Adopt a stable position. Your feet should be apart with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance (alongside the load if it's on the ground). Be prepared to move your feet during the lift in order to maintain a stable posture. Wearing over-tight clothing or unsuitable footwear may make this difficult.

 

1. Imagine your patient is heavier than they are. This will help you to prepare more effectively for the task.

 

1. A slight bending of the back, hips and knees at the start of the lift is preferable to either fully flexing the back (stooping) or fully flexing the hips and knees (fully squatting). Lift with your legs.

 

1. Don’t twist and lift. Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways especially while the back is bent. Keep your shoulders level and facing the same direction as the hips. Turning by moving your feet is better than twisting and lifting at the same time.

 

1. Tuck your chin in and keep your head up when handling the load. Look ahead, not down at the load once it has been held securely.

 

1. Bring your patient close to you so that the load is near your centre of gravity (your abdomen) and you are not over extending or reaching.

 

1. Ensure that you are up to date with your workplace safe patient handling and mobility program.

 

1. Your employer must provide a safe workplace without risks to your health. Use the lifting machines and hoists that are available. This will help to prevent injuries to yourself and preserve the dignity of your patient.

References
American Nurses Association. Safe patient handling and mobility: myth vs reality. http://nursingworld.org/DocumentVault/OccupationalEnvironment/SPHM-Standards-Resources/SPHM-Myth-vs-Reality.pdf Accessed November 11, 2013.
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/workplacehealth/Pages/safe-lifting-tips.aspx
http://www.anmf.org.au/documents/policies/P_Safe_Patient_Handling.pdf
http://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/avoid-back-injuries-in-nursing
http://thenerdynurse.com/2015/09/7-vital-tips-for-avoiding-back-injury-as-a-nurse.html