Lifting devices used by hospital staff; their relationship to the handling of patients

This paper investigates the utilisation of lifting devices by hospital staff, in relation-ship to the handling of patients and the reasons for this. A survey was conducted at Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide during June and July 1989 using a questionnaire which returned 54% (n=110) completed returns. The results showed a lack of available lifting devices; 16.4% (n=18) of health care respondents had no lifting devices available in their work area while 14.5% (n=16) of respondents had only one lifting device. Where lifting devices were available, 63.6% (n=70) of respondents used the lifting devices less than three times in the week prior to the survey. 24.6% (n=27) of respondent health care workers were of the opinion that lifting devices were not very appropriate for patient handling tasks and 12.7% (n=14) of respondents found the devices difficult to use. 22.7% (n=25) of respondents indicated insufficient room for the use of the devices. 19.1% (n=21) of respondents consider the floor plan layout in which they to be utilised obstructive. 24.5% (n=27) were of respondents found that the lifting devices were not very mobile. 24.6% (n=27) of respondents considered that the setting-up time of the lifting devices took too long and 18.2% (n=20) were of the opinion that the devices were located too far away from the workplace for quick and convenient access. Strong emphasis in the literature review is placed on Common and Statute Law of the employer's "Duty of Care" to the health care workers. The main recommendation is that users need to have input into the design of the equipment. Also, user require initial training and require on-going refresher training in the use of lifting devices for patients. Supervision of users of lifitng devices is essential.Thesis (Master of Applied Science