Safe Patient Handling Course Overview
The manual lifting, moving, and repositioning of patients represents the single greatest risk factor for overexertion injuries among healthcare workers. Nurses, nursing assistants, physical therapists, emergency medical personnel, and other direct care providers face daily exposure to forceful exertions, awkward postures, and repetitive motions that cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, healthcare workers suffer MSDs at rates significantly higher than workers in construction and manufacturing, with nursing assistants experiencing the highest rates of back injuries among all occupations. These injuries lead to chronic pain, disability, lost workdays, workers’ compensation claims exceeding $20 billion annually, and high staff turnover that disrupts patient care.
This course informs healthcare workers on safe handling and lifting techniques to reduce and prevent injuries to both workers and patients. Employees learn evidence-based patient handling strategies including proper use of mechanical lift equipment, lateral transfer devices, and positioning aids. The course is updated with the VHA Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Algorithms (2014 revision) and the NAON Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Algorithms for the Adult Orthopaedic Patient, both available as downloadable training resources for learners.
Safe Patient Handling Course Content
Lesson 1: Introduction and Objectives
Scope of musculoskeletal injuries in healthcare, statistics on back injuries and overexertion injuries among nurses and nursing assistants, consequences of patient handling injuries (chronic pain, disability, lost workdays, turnover), course objectives, and overview of safe patient handling principles
Lesson 2: Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Definition of ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and spinal discs, common MSDs in healthcare, risk factors for MSDs, patient handling as primary cause of MSDs, cumulative trauma from repeated exposures, early warning signs of MSDs
Lesson 3: Planning a Patient Move
Importance of pre-move assessment, patient assessment factors, environmental assessment, available equipment, team coordination and communication, “no lift” policies and manual lift restrictions, when to use mechanical lifts vs. manual assistance
Lesson 4: Lifting and Transferring Techniques
VHA Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Algorithms, NAON algorithms for orthopaedic patients, vertical lifts using mechanical lifts, lateral transfers using slide boards and friction-reducing devices, repositioning in bed using slide sheets and draw sheets, ambulation assistance using gait belts and walkers, safe techniques for manual assistance when appropriate, team lifts and communication protocols, safe use of slings and positioning devices
Lesson 5: The Benefits of Safe Patient Handling
Benefits to healthcare workers, benefits to patients, organizational benefits, return on investment for safe patient handling programs, creating a culture of safety
