772 Introduction to Safe Patient Handling
Glossary
Use the keyboard function: "Ctrl F" to search for terms in this glossary
A
- Active Range of Motion (AROM). Exercises performed by the patient without assistance to maintain or improve joint flexibility and muscle strength. Often used in rehabilitation and mobility care plans.
- Administrative Controls. Workplace policies, training, shift scheduling, and procedures that reduce exposure to hazards without removing the hazard itself. In patient handling, this includes staffing plans, training, and care protocols.
- Assessment Algorithm. A step-by-step tool used to evaluate a patient's mobility level and determine the appropriate equipment and number of staff needed for safe handling or transfer.
- Assistive Devices. Tools or equipment, such as gait belts, slide sheets, and mechanical lifts, used to help healthcare workers safely move or reposition patients while minimizing physical strain.
B
- Bed Mobility. The ability of a patient to move around in bed, including rolling, scooting, and adjusting position, which is essential for comfort, hygiene, and prevention of pressure ulcers.
- Body Mechanics. The use of proper body movements to prevent injury during patient handling, including techniques like keeping the back straight, bending at the knees, and holding loads close to the body.
C
- Care Plan. A detailed approach created by healthcare providers that outlines strategies and equipment for safe handling based on the patient's mobility, weight, and condition.
- Ceiling Lift. A mechanical device mounted on tracks in the ceiling that allows for the lifting and transferring of patients with minimal manual effort by caregivers.
D
- Debridement. The medical removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue to promote healing in wounds, burns, or ulcers. Commonly used in wound care management.
E
- Elimination. The most effective control method in the hierarchy, which involves physically removing the hazard. In patient handling, this could mean eliminating manual lifting tasks through complete automation or outsourcing of high-risk procedures.
- Engineering Controls. Physical devices or modifications to the workplace that isolate workers from hazards. In healthcare, examples include mechanical lifts, transfer aids, and friction-reducing devices that reduce or eliminate manual handling.
- Ergonomics. The science of designing the workplace and tasks to fit the capabilities and limitations of the worker, used in healthcare to reduce injury risk during patient handling.
F
- Fall Risk Assessment. A clinical evaluation used to identify patients at risk of falling, often guiding care planning and the implementation of preventive measures like mobility aids or closer supervision.
- Friction-Reducing Device (FRD). Equipment such as slide sheets, air-assisted devices, or rollers that help reduce the physical effort required to move or reposition patients, decreasing injury risk.
G
- Gait Belt. A wide belt used around a patient's waist to assist in safely transferring or ambulating them while reducing fall risk and caregiver strain.
H
- Hazard Assessment. The process of identifying and evaluating tasks or environments that may pose a risk of musculoskeletal injury to healthcare workers during patient handling.
- Hierarchy of Controls. A system used to minimize or eliminate exposure to hazards. Ranked from most to least effective: Elimination, Substitution, Engineering Controls, Administrative Controls, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Hoyer Lift. A brand name commonly used to refer to a type of mechanical lift that assists in transferring patients between surfaces, such as from bed to wheelchair, using a sling and hydraulic or electric mechanism.
I
- Informed Consent. A legal and ethical process by which a patient voluntarily agrees to a proposed treatment or procedure after understanding its risks, benefits, and alternatives.
- Isolation Precautions. Infection control measures used to prevent the spread of contagious diseases, categorized as contact, droplet, or airborne precautions based on transmission risk.
J
- Joint Commission. An independent, non-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations in the United States, promoting patient safety and quality care standards.
K
- Keratitis. Inflammation of the cornea, often caused by infection or injury, which can lead to vision impairment if not treated promptly.
L
- Lateral Transfer. The process of moving a patient sideways from one surface to another, such as from a stretcher to a bed, often using slide boards or friction-reducing devices.
- Limb Support. Equipment or manual techniques used to support a patient's arm or leg during movement or procedures to prevent strain or injury to the caregiver and discomfort to the patient.
- Lift Team. A group of specially trained staff designated to perform or assist with patient lifting and transferring tasks to reduce injury risks for regular caregivers.
M
- Mechanical Assist Device. Any powered or manual tool, such as a sit-to-stand lift or full-body lift, used to aid in patient handling while reducing caregiver effort and injury.
- Mechanical Lift. A powered or manual device designed to lift and transfer patients who are unable to move independently, reducing the risk of injury to both patients and caregivers.
- Minimal Assist. A classification of patient mobility where the patient can perform most of the movement independently but may require supervision or slight physical assistance.
- Mobility Aid. A device designed to assist patients with walking or movement, including walkers, canes, crutches, and wheelchairs, to promote independence and reduce fall risk.
- Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD). Injuries affecting muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, or spinal discs, often caused by repetitive motion, overexertion, or improper lifting techniques in healthcare settings.
N
- No-Lift Policy. A workplace policy that prohibits manual lifting of patients except in emergencies, mandating the use of mechanical devices and proper protocols to ensure caregiver safety.
O
- Occupational Therapist (OT). A licensed healthcare professional who helps patients regain or improve the skills needed for daily living and working, often involved in developing safe mobility and handling plans.
P
- Passive Range of Motion (PROM). Exercises performed on a patient by a caregiver or therapist to move joints through their full range of motion without the patient exerting effort, often used when the patient is immobile.
- Patient Assessment Criteria. A standardized list of factors such as patient weight, level of consciousness, and mobility that guide the selection of safe handling methods and equipment.
- Patient Transfer. The process of moving a patient from one surface or location to another, such as from a bed to a wheelchair, while maintaining safety and minimizing physical strain.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The least effective hazard control method, used when hazards cannot be eliminated. In patient handling, PPE may include gloves, gait belts, or back supports, but it does not eliminate risk.
- Pressure Injury (Pressure Ulcer). Localized damage to the skin and underlying tissue, typically over a bony area, caused by prolonged pressure. Prevention includes regular repositioning and use of support surfaces.
Q
- Quality Improvement (QI). A continuous process in healthcare that identifies areas for enhancement in patient care, safety, and outcomes through systematic data analysis and intervention.
R
- Rehabilitation Nurse. A nurse who specializes in helping patients with chronic illness or disability to maintain or regain function, often involved in safe patient handling and mobility training.
- Repositioning. The act of adjusting a patient's position in bed or chair to maintain comfort, prevent pressure injuries, and promote circulation.
- Repositioning Device. Equipment such as friction-reducing sheets or air-assisted devices used to adjust a patient's position in bed or chair without lifting.
- Risk Factors. Conditions or actions that increase the likelihood of injury during patient handling, including awkward postures, heavy lifting, or insufficient staffing.
S
- Safe Lifting Limit. The maximum amount of weight a person can safely lift without mechanical aid, often recommended as 35 pounds under ideal conditions for healthcare workers.
- Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM). A comprehensive approach that uses technology, training, and best practices to safely move patients while protecting healthcare workers from musculoskeletal injuries.
- Sit-to-Stand Lift. A type of mechanical lift designed to assist patients who have some weight-bearing ability in moving from a sitting to a standing position, commonly used in short transfers or toileting.
- Slide Sheet. A low-friction fabric sheet used under patients to facilitate easier turning, repositioning, or transfers without lifting.
- Stand-Pivot Transfer. A patient transfer technique where the patient stands with assistance and pivots to a new surface, used when the patient has partial weight-bearing ability and upper body strength.
- Substitution. Replacing a hazardous task or process with a safer alternative. In patient handling, this could mean substituting a manual lift with a powered mechanical lift to reduce injury risk.
T
- Transfer Board. A flat, rigid board used to bridge the gap between two surfaces, assisting in the lateral transfer of patients with limited mobility.
- Transfer Risk Level. A classification of how much assistance a patient requires for transfers, determined by factors such as physical strength, cognitive function, and cooperation.
- Transfer Sling. A fabric support device used in conjunction with a mechanical lift to cradle and move the patient securely during a transfer. Slings vary by purpose, such as hygiene or full-body support.
U
- Ultrasound. A diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of internal organs, tissues, or blood flow, commonly used in obstetrics and cardiology.
V
- Vaccination. The administration of a vaccine to stimulate the immune system and protect against infectious diseases such as influenza, measles, or COVID-19.
W
- Work Practice Controls. Safe techniques and procedures that reduce exposure to risks, including the use of two-person lifts, asking for help, or planning the transfer path in advance.
X
- Xerostomia. A condition commonly referred to as dry mouth, caused by reduced or absent saliva flow, often a side effect of medication or radiation therapy.
Y
- Yellow Tag. A triage label used in emergency situations to identify patients who require delayed treatment but whose condition is not immediately life-threatening.