Ergonomics: safe patient handling and mobility

Beth Hallmark; Patricia Mechan; Lynne Shores

doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2014.10.012

Ergonomics: safe patient handling and mobility

Nurs Clin North Am. 2015 Mar;50(1):153-66. doi: 10.1016/j.cnur.2014.10.012. Epub 2014 Dec 2.

Authors

Beth Hallmark¹, Patricia Mechan², Lynne Shores³

Affiliations

¹ Belmont University College of Health Sciences and Nursing, 1900 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37212, USA. Electronic address: beth.hallmark@belmont.edu.
² Consulting, Education, & Clinical Services, Guldmann, 130 Trapelo Road, Second Floor, Belmont, MA 02478, USA.
³ Belmont University College of Health Sciences and Nursing, 1900 Belmont Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37212, USA.

PMID: 25680494
DOI: 10.1016/j.cnur.2014.10.012

Abstract

This article reviews and investigates the issues surrounding ergonomics, with a specific focus on safe patient handling and mobility. The health care worker of today faces many challenges, one of which is related to the safety of patients. Safe patient handling and mobility is on the forefront of the movement to improve patient safety. This article reviews the risks associated with patient handling and mobility, and informs the reader of current evidence-based practice relevant to this area of care.

Keywords: Bariatric patients; Ergonomics; High-risk nursing tasks prevention programs; Interprofessional collaborative care; Nursing care related injury; Safe Patient Handling and Mobility: Interprofessional National Standards; Safe patient handling and mobility.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Clinical Competence
Ergonomics / standards*
Evidence-Based Nursing / methods*
Evidence-Based Nursing / organization & administration
Humans
Moving and Lifting Patients / methods*
Nursing Staff, Hospital
Occupational Diseases / prevention & control*
Patient Safety / standards*
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Safety Management / methods*
United States