Smart Mobilization
Smart Mobilization: Sprains and strains are the most often reported nature of injuries, and the shoulders and low back are the most affected body parts. The problem of lifting patients is compounded by the increasing weight of patients to be lifted due to the obesity epidemic in the United States and the rapidly increasing number of older people who require assistance with the activities of daily living.
The consequences of work-related musculoskeletal injuries among nurses are substantial. Along with higher employer costs due to medical expenses, disability compensation, and litigation, nurse injuries also are costly in terms of chronic pain and functional disability, absenteeism, and turnover. As many as 20% of nurses who leave direct patient care positions do so because of risks associated with the work. Direct and indirect costs associated with only back injuries in the healthcare industry (US) are estimated to be $20 billion annually. In addition, healthcare employees, who experience pain and fatigue, may be less productive, less attentive, more susceptible to further injury, and may be more likely to affect the health and safety of others.
Industries where patient handling tasks are performed include:
- Long-Term Care (includes facilities that provide skilled or non-skilled nursing care)
- Acute Care - (includes hospitals, out-patient surgical centers, and clinics);
- Home Healthcare workers; and others - such as physical therapists, radiologists, sonographers, etc.
Caregivers are at greatest risk for injury when they are:
- Pulling a person who is reclining in bed into a sitting position.
- Transferring a person from a bed to a wheelchair.
- Leaning over a person for long periods of time.
The Careturner can be operated manually by a carer, making it ideal for moving and handling within single carer working environments. The easy to use hand control allows the carer to elevate the wings to up to 80°, giving full access for sling application, glide sheets and personal care. Furthermore, when used in conjunction with the beds profiling movements, the Careturner allows the carer to safely transfer the patient in and out of bed – into a standing position – with minimal effort, protecting the carer from potential back injury.
With the new Careturner SMART buttons it’s even more easy to transfer the patient from side to side by pressing one button – relieving the carer from any heavy lifts in a gentle way to ensure maximum comfort for the patient.
Reducing the contact when transferring the patient from side to side benefits both the carer and the patient. This is also highly beneficial for patients who are hypersensitive and patients with dementia.