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WHAT'S NEW
Patient Safety Corner
Proper Patient Lifting Techniques for Healthcare Providers
Back injuries are a common injury for those working in the healthcare field. Here are some simple rules to follow to avoid injury.
General Considerations Prior to Taking Action:
1. Know the weight of your patient and consider the mode of transportation (e.g., stretcher, wheel chair)
2. Know your limitations and be realistic. If you cannot safely move the patient on you own, get help.
3. Communicate, both with your colleague and with the patient. When everyone is on the same page, injuries are minimized and all efforts are more efficient.
Proper Technique for General Movement:
* Consider your body alignment. By keeping your head and neck aligned with your spine you minimize the risk for sprains and strains.
* Bend and lift with the knees, not at the waist. Bending at the waist puts unnecessary stress on your lower spine.
* Avoid twisting your body, especially while bending, for the same reasons as above.
* Hold the patient close to your body while lifting and transferring them. The closer you hold them the easier it is to maintain your natural center of gravity and remain steady on your feet. By extending your arms, you engage weaker muscles and increase the risk of slips, falls, and possibly dropping your patient.
* Maintain a stance that is shoulder-width apart whenever possible, thus helping to maintain your balance and distribute your patient's weight evenly.
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Health and Safety Corner
Why Hospitals Should Start Planning for the Upcoming Flu Season
With the beginning of September and the weather starting to change, healthcare providers start to gear up for flu season. There is never an exact month that flu season arrives, but planning should begin in the early fall as flu season can start as early as October.
According to the article It’s Never Too Early to Plan for Flu Season by AMN Healthcare, a study was conducted on hospital responses to mild and severe flu pandemics. The study established the usage of hospital beds, ventilators, and various resources would be exceeded in two or three weeks in a severe pandemic. A severe pandemic such as H1N1 (swine flu) can wipe out the majority of hospitals resources. Planning for these pandemics can help to prepare the number of staff, amount of resources and how best to treat and help the patients affected.
In order to prepare for the flu season hospitals can:
- Ensure additional nurses be added to the areas needed for patient care (such as the ICU or even areas requiring acute care)
- Add nurses to provide the flu shot in immunization clinics
- Make sure to follow the trends early to know what to expect for flu season, which flu strains may be prevalent and the severity of the situation
- Plans must be adjusted and adapted depending on the situation on the flu season in order to best help hospitals adapt
Source: http://www.amnhealthcare.com/latest-healthcare-news/plan-for-flu-season/
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News and Updates
Carecor Staff Survey 2016
Thanks to all who took part in the survey. We had a 32% response rate with 43% of those being RNs and 49% being PSWs.
To summarize the results briefly, most active staff were satisfied with their Carecor job saying they felt their workplace was safe and that Carecor was committed to providing high quality care. Most were satisfied with the electronic scheduling software and found Carecor staff to be approachable and communicated well. Most staff felt they were treated with respect by facility charge nurses and unit staff.
Some of you identified areas for improvement such as training and customer service. All of your ideas will be reviewed and opportunities for improvements will be made.
We hear you and we appreciate the feedback!
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WELL DONE!
Irene Bilicz, PSW:
"Irene provided outstanding service by managing to be both professional and considerate of the family's needs. She understood the physical needs of my father, making sure the bed was comfortable, cleaning his hands, encouraging him to eat, etc. She also understood the emotional needs of the family with quiet words of support and sharing information on other resources such as CCAC before the end of her shift. We are very appreciative."
(Wendell, patient family member, St. Joseph's Health Centre)
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