Affiliations: North Memorial Medical Center, Robbinsdale, MN,
USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr. Patricia Finch Guthrie, Director
of Clinical Practice, Innovation, and Research, North Memorial Medical Center,
3300 Oakdale Avenue North, Robbinsdale, MN, USA. Tel.: +1 763 520 1544; Fax: +1
763 520 1418; E-mail: Patty.finch-guthrie@northmemorial.com
Abstract: The average age of nurses is projected to be 50 years in 2010 [17].
Because nurses are older, a work injury prevention program should change how
nurses lift patients. The purpose of this evidence-based practice improvement
project was to examine a new lifting intervention. Method: An evidence-based process was used to implement an effective
lifting intervention, including a back school, a lift team, and mechanical
lifting equipment, on the orthopedic and neurology units in a Minnesota
hospital. A two-week pilot determined if enough work would be generated to
justify hiring a permanent lift team. Then the entire lifting intervention was
studied on the two units. Results: The injuries for the two units decreased from 21 to 9
injuries, while the salary and work replacement costs were $48,220 and $2,560
in 2001 and 2002, respectively. The lift team averaged 80 lifts per day and
95% of the nursing staff attended the back school. Conclusion: The lift team and new mechanical lifting equipment were
successfully disseminated resulting in significant reductions in costs.
Suggested improvements include additional supervision and lift team scheduling
changes, regular staff meetings, and ongoing education.
