no lift facilities

[Guest guest]

I am looking for feedback from therapists working in no lift facilities. I

am in a SNF providing sub-acute rehab, no long term care. We use Hoyer Lift

and sit to stand machines for mod to max assist transfer patients only. We

do ongoing education and training with nursing and rehab staff for body

mechanics and safe lifting techniques. We are seeing an increase in

frequency of injuries with our higher level patients- CGA or SBA. 6 injuries

in the last 2 months. Patient has a loss of balance in the shower, standing

at the sink brushing their teeth, onset of dizziness while ambulating and

aide or therapist reaches out automatically to stop the fall and sustains

neck or shoulder injury. Our education has always included best positioning

for these situations however staff always state it was an automatic

response, no time to change their behavior or position.

At a no lift facility how do you deal with higher level patients? What

incidence of these types of injuries are other facilities seeing.

Debbie OTR/L

Director of Rehab

Northwoods Lodge