To avoid injuring their patients and themselves, healthcare providers must get in the habit of using safe patient handling and mobility (SPHM) technology. In this supplement, national experts share their perspectives and best practices on topics ranging from dealing with bariatric patients, managing slings, and assessing a patient’s mobility to transforming the culture, building the business case for an SPHM, and developing a successful SPHM program.
Download a PDF of the entire supplement here.
By Melissa A. Fitzpatrick
“The way we’ve always done it” is no longer an acceptable rationale for manual patient handling and mobilization. We must change our mindset and embrace appropriate technology to keep ourselves and our patients safe from harm.
By John Celona
To build a successful program, identify your facility’s specific needs, design the program, obtain leaders’ and nurses’ commitment, and provide effective education and training.
By Kathleen M. Vollman and Rick Bassett
Accomplishing early patient mobility and safe handling requires a culture change, deliberate focus, staff education, and full engagement.
By Amy Garcia
Learn about ANA’s interprofessional national standards on safe patient handling and mobility, developed by a panel of interdisciplinary experts
By Teresa Boynton, Lesly Kelly, and Amber Perez
The authors describe a nurse-driven tool you can use at the bedside to evaluate your patient’s mobility level and guide decisions about patient lifts, slings, and other technology.
By Neal Wiggermann
Pulling patients up in bed carries a high risk of caregiver injury. Find out how to prevent patient migration and manage it safely when it occurs.
By Dee Kumpar
Nearly a third of patient-handling injuries involve bariatric patients. Handling and mobilizing these patients safely requires skill and specialized technology.
By Jan DuBose
Disposable or launderable slings? In-house or outsourced laundering? These and other key decisions require input from all departments involved.
By John Celona
The author explains three approaches to justifying a safe patient handling and mobility program and presents a decision-analysis case study.
This supplement was funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Hill-Rom. Content of this supplement was developed independently of the sponsor and all articles have undergone peer review according to American Nurse Today standards.
