Safe Patient Lifting Campaign Reduces Occupational Injuries at Tennessee Hospital

A campaign launched by a Nashville, Tennessee, hospital reduced the facility’s rate of patient handling injuries by more than 74% from 2008 to 2011, states a July 19, 2012, USA Today article. The campaign, which relied on three key components—equipment, training, and awareness—used a “buddy” approach to match new users of patient lifts with skilled users, boosting compliance. According to the article, a 2011 health and safety survey from the American Nurses Association showed that disabling injuries from lifting are a top concern among 62% of nurses.