Project Grant CE146560

COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING - CONSTRUCTION - ROBIN MELVIN, MSN, RN, CNO, VP PATIENT CARE SERVICES 814-676-7147 PEARSONRL@UPMC.EDU HTTPS://WWW.UPMC.COM/LOCATIONS/HOSPITALS/NORTHWEST THIS PROJECT PROVIDES APPROXIMATELY $100,000 FOR AN ACUTE HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATION TO PURCHASE OVERHEAD LIFT EQUIPMENT FOR STAFF TO SAFELY REPOSITION, TRANSFER, AND MOBILIZE PATIENTS IN A DIGNIFIED MANNER. UTILIZING THE MOTORIZED LIFT EQUIPMENT WILL ALSO ASSIST IN REDUCING MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES IN HEALTH CARE WORKERS. PATIENT HANDLING IS A LEADING CAUSE OF CAREGIVER INJURY. MOBILIZING AND TRANSFERRING PATIENTS WHO ARE DISABLED, OVERWEIGHT, OR OBESE IS CHALLENGING FOR THE HEALTH CARE TEAM AND CONTRIBUTES TO PATIENT AND STAFF LIFTING INJURIES. REPORTED INJURIES WERE CAUSED FROM BOOSTING, TURNING, POSITIONING, AND TRANSFERRING PATIENTS RESULTING IN BACK, NECK, SHOULDER, WRIST, KNEE AND GROIN STRAINS. WITH THE USE OF OVERHEAD PATIENT CEILING LIFTS, STAFF ARE ABLE TO SAFELY REPOSITION PATIENTS, TRANSFER PATIENTS TO CARTS FOR TESTING, OR TRANSFER PATIENT TO A CHAIR. THIS REDUCES THE RISK OF COMPLICATIONS FROM IMMOBILITY WHICH INCLUDES MUSCLE WEAKNESS, RESPIRATORY COMPLICATIONS AND PRESSURE ULCERS WHICH DEVELOP ON THE SPINE, TAILBONE, SHOULDER BLADES, HIPS, HEELS, AND ELBOWS OF PATIENTS DUE TO LIMITED MOBILITY. THE ORGANIZATION WILL INSTALL 15 OVERHEAD RAIL SYSTEMS WITH 6 INTERCHANGEABLE MOTORS IN PATIENT ROOMS ACROSS THE INPATIENT AREAS, REHABILITATION UNIT AND TRANSITIONAL CARE UNIT. RAIL SYSTEMS WILL BE INSTALLED IN THE CEILING AND TESTED FOR SAFE USE. STAFF WILL BE TRAINED ON USE OF THE NEW SYSTEMS. THE ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO ENSURE EVERY PATIENT IS TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT. MOVING AND TRANSFERRING PATIENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND/OR OBESITY CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR THE PATIENT AND THE CARE GIVER. MAINTAINING A PATIENT'S DIGNITY WITHOUT THE USE OF PROPER EQUIPMENT TO LIFT AND TRANSFER A PATIENT, MAY LEAD TO EMOTIONAL DISTRESS FOR THE PATIENT.