Vanderbilt nurses, from left, Megan Henneberg, R.N., Kim Farmer, R.N., and Alicia Baity learn about the Smooth Mooves patient handling system from Rod Sanchez of Diligent Inc.
Photo by Neil Brake
Handling system gives lift to patient, caregiver safety
Donta Tibbs, right, tries out a component of the Smooth Moves system that helps patients stand up while Nancy Fuller and Robert Francis look on.
Photo by Neil Brake
Nurses and care partners at Vanderbilt University Hospital are getting ready to make some Smooth Moves.
That's the name of a new program being rolled out by Vanderbilt's Occupational Health Clinic that uses special equipment and lifts to make moving and handling patients safer.
Each year, about 200 nurses at Vanderbilt sustain injuries, many of which occur when nurses lift patients or when they reposition patients in bed and twist while bearing the patient's weight. In addition to the pain, these injuries are also a financial concern, resulting in lost work time and workers' compensation claims.
VUMC is investing $600,000 in the Smooth Moves program, which will also include refresher classes and new nurse orientation. The program is expected to decrease nurse work-related injuries by 60 percent each year for the next three years.
To address this growing issue, the Occupational Health Clinic brought together an interdisciplinary team made up of members from nurse wellness, clinical engineering, architecture and more than a dozen nurse managers and care givers to develop a new system.
“Smooth Moves was thoughtfully developed with direct input from nurses,” said Melanie Swift, M.D., medical director of the Occupational Health Clinic. “Initial testing in six VUH units resulted in a 55 percent decrease in injuries, so roll-out plans have been moved up. We're providing comprehensive training to 125 nurses who will, in turn, train their staff.”
Smooth Moves requires learning how to use some new equipment, including a remote-controlled lift that helps patients move from a seated to standing position; an electronic sling for a patient who may have taken a few steps on their own and fallen on the floor; and a special mat designed to gently slide patients into position.
“Instead of hindsight, we want our nurses to start thinking about foresight — by using the new equipment and working together as a team,” said Sharon Craig, M.S.N., Smooth Moves manager. “It helps our nurses and makes our patients more comfortable.”
“Every nurse knows another nurse somewhere who's had a back injury. Smooth Moves is going to help me protect my back so I can keep working and helping patients,” said Marayet Francis, R.N., in the VUH Dialysis Unit.