[Kate Browne]

Hi Susan

 I would think you could get it directly from the company but need to purchase it rather than trial it .

Kate

From: WordPress <web@mhanz.org.nz>
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2024 2:05 PM
To: kate@staysafehandling.co.nz
Subject: [] New reply for Applying pressure during endoscopy procedures

[Kate Browne]

Hi Everyone

There is a thing called a Colowrap which has been trialled successfully for the application of abdominal pressure during colonscopies to replace the application of unsafe manual force by endoscopy staff.

Here’s a link to it including the clinical trial info https://www.colowrap.com/product to assist with getting the specialists’ buy in.

Cheers

Kate

From: WordPress <web@mhanz.org.nz>
Sent: Friday, March 8, 2024 3:36 PM
To: kate@staysafehandling.co.nz
Subject: [] New reply for Applying pressure during endoscopy procedures

[Kate Browne]

Kia ora Lynda.

A tricky situation for all resident transport when there is carpet on the floor.

Here is a case study from Workcover New Soth Wales which might be relevant for you.

Assessing the risk

The nurses identified that the carpets were an important risk factor in the task. When a patient was occupying the hoist, the wheels sank into the carpet, making it difficult to move. The hoist’s wheels were made from rubber, which is suitable for smooth and/or hard floors.

The solution

Consulting with the supplier they found it was possible to change the wheels of the hoist to a type that is more suited for use on carpets such as polyurethane. The required force to manoeuvre the hoist was reduced by approximately 40% due to the new wheels. The hoists were now used when necessary for moving patients.

Other solutions were also suggested to eliminate or reduce the risk, these were:

§Replacing the new carpets – this was a very expensive solution so attention focused on the hoist.

§Another option considered was to increase the wheel size, as this also would reduce the required force, but in this case this was not possible due to the hospital beds clearance range.

Source: WorkCover New South Wales, Australia.

Best regards Kate

From: WordPress <web@mhanz.org.nz>
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2023 2:09 PM
To: kate@staysafehandling.co.nz
Subject: [] – Topic: Moving heavy people on carpet using a Sara Stady

[Kate Browne]

Thanks everyone for sending through your ideas.

I thought it might be useful if I summarised the findings including your suggestions .

1. The standard Hovermatt or Q2 roller are effective in eliminating handling risks when turning a larger patient.

2. The various repo sheet options that can be used with a hoist are

• ETAC Immedia satin sheets (Cubro) for up to 200kg patients
• Guldmann Repositioning Slings ( Tencel fabric for up to 375 kg or Polyester up to 500kg)
• Pelican repositioning sheet (up to 500kg)

3. The Sage Prevalon Tap XXL mattress cover and accessories reduce the forces required for repositioning where a hoist or hovermatt is not readily available

If you want to add to this list please feel free.

Thanks

Kate

From: WordPress <web@mhanz.org.nz>
Sent: Wednesday, August 2, 2023 10:54 AM
To: kate@staysafehandling.co.nz
Subject: [] New reply for Repositioning bariatric patients

[Kate Browne]

Hi Jessie

I haven’t ever used this piece of equipment but had a sinking feeling while watching the Utube video which demonstrates overreaching (forces involving both shoulder and spine) while assisting the patient between sitting and standing.

Perhaps the standing position could be achieved by the worker being alongside the patient as in a standard safe sit to stand transfer.

Kind regards
Kate

Kate Browne
Occupational Health Physiotherapist
Staysafe Handling
Ph 021 507023

[Kate Browne]

Hi there

I work with the Southern Cross hospital network and we installed univators to do this job .
Univator – this is from cooper Medical
http://www.smartlinemachinery.com/PDFs/Univator.pdf

There has also been a national loan set project in NZ with the aim of reducing the crate size 7.5 kg .

This means no heavy orthopaedic loan sets ariving in the hospitals any more.

Kate

Kate Browne
Occupational Health Physiotherapist
StaySafe Handling
Mobile: 021 507023
info@staysafehandling.co.nz
Web: http://www.staysafehandling.co.nz

[Kate Browne]

Hi Megan

Apologies but yet another request for the powerpoint from me
kate@staysafehandling.co.nz
Muchappreciated

[Kate Browne]

The other alternative is to bring a bed in and use a Pat slide and slide sheet for the patient to shuffle themsleves across or be transfered and use the bed electrics to do the rest.

Thanks
Kate

[Kate Browne]

Hi again

Here are some more details on the incident from Leading Age Services Australia (LASA)
It details articularly about how to atatch these types of portable hoists which is how the failure occurred

SAFETY ALERT
– re MOLIFT (Etac) NOMAD PORTABLE CEILING HOIST 1200003 with a safe working load of 235kg (or similar)

Please be aware that there has been an instance of failure in the operating system of the above named ceiling hoist within the aged care sector. This failure did result in the death of a resident.

All Government subsidised aged care services are currently required by legislation
(Aged Care Act 1997) to have internal systems and procedures in place to protect the
health, safety and well-being of care recipients at all times.

WorkSafe recommendation:

Worksafe recommends that the manufacturer’s manual specifies that the safety hook
(Flexi-link) be attached directly to the trolley rather than to the hook at the bottom of the extension strap – only ‘when necessary’ is the trolley to have a suspended attachment
hook – ensure staff are aware of this and using appropriately.

Refer to this link for further recommendations.

Staff Training/Manual Handling:

It is recommended that providers review and update systems for staff training and manual handling as required, ensuring that ALL steps that facilitate the safe use of a MOLIFT machine are documented and understood. All hooks/links are secure and double checked. There should be a verbal system in place for the cross-check.

The Department of Health recommends that when using mobility aids, it is important that:
• They are used appropriately following the assessment by an appropriate health professional.
• Placement of the mobility aids and the risks associated with use have been assessed and documented.
• The use of mobility aids is frequently monitored.
Policies and Procedures:

It is recommended that Policy and Procedure documents clearly outline your determined steps and include guidelines to ensure FRAT’s (Falls Risk Assessment Tool) are updated
and reviewed.

Ensure that within your Policy and Procedure documents that you have clear guidelines
for regular and scheduled maintenance (as per supplier’s guidelines). This would include
all mobility aids and hoists.

[Kate Browne]

Good to hear there is to be another MHANZ gathering
It would be great Anne if you could ask Deborah to present on other topics than those from last years AAMPH which quite a few of us have already heard.
Much appreciated
Kate

[Kate Browne]

Hi Jessie

I also heard Deborah’s presentaion on this at the conference and have some concerns about this issue being that single handed care is prevalent in home care and carried out by caregivers who often lack a voice when decisions are made as to the need for one or two caregivers.
The decisons are also ususally made on the basis of availability of funding rather than actual client assessment

Anyway here is an exert from the Moving and handling guidelines NZ (Pg 65)about this.

“For clients in home care, an initial on‑site risk assessment should be carried out by a
carer deemed qualified by the organisation. It should involve the client, the client’s
family where appropriate and if applicable the funder. The risk assessment should
note what moving and handling equipment will be required, what changes (if any)
are needed in room or building layout, and whether the client will require assistance
from one or two carers for specific transfers (see Appendix 3.3). The carer assigned to
the client will be responsible for carrying out the care specified by the risk assessment
prior to each client transfer. Sole carers should be able to request specialist risk
assessments following any significant changes in clients’ mobility, profile or
environment, or following any indication that more than one carer or different
equipment may be required to transfer clients.”

Kate

[Kate Browne]

Hi Kylie

Thanks for your comments from WorkSafe’s perspective.
With regards to WorkSafe’s guidance material it states clearly that a moving and handling programme with multiple components is the effective way to reduce M & H related injuries among health care workers but that training workers in people moving and handling techniques alone is ineffective in reducing injuries.
This aligns with current research to date.

As you have mentioned training is still a required component with regards to equipment use, however WorkSafe’s guidance material also states that workers should be engaged in the process of identifying hazards so as to be able to follow a systematic approach to identify all potential hazards.
Additionally training related to moving and handling is also included as a risk managment strategy in Section 4 “Risk management, Worker assessment (individual)”.
It could therefore be said that area based tailored training which includes risk management and M & H technique is an essential component for a PCBU to ensure they are managing the high level of risk associated with the M & H of people.

There are still many organisations that I come across who have yet to address their workers M & H risk and instead seem to be putting in the bare minimum such as hoist training.
It is great to know that there are people like yourself with a focus in this area who can assist organisations with developing their M & H programmes to address the safety of a workforce that is at high risk of injury.

Kate Browne
Occupational Health Physiotherapist
StaySafe Handling
Ph/Fax:(09) 360 1751
Mobile: 021 507023
info@staysafehandling.co.nz
Web: http://www.staysafehandling.co.nz

[Kate Browne]

Hi Michelle,

I provide training for anaesthetic techs and other theatre staff but would fall over backwards if any of the specialists showed up!
That’s great news to hear you are getting the chance to get the ears of the anaethetists at their monthly meeting.

If I had that opportinuty I would be reinforcing the importance of their role in providing effective coordination of any patient handling including transfers or any repositioning to ensure the patient and their teams safety.
This is because many of them don’t wait for the staff to prepare for the transfer and rush into the call to move,
or don’t take it seriously and change the timing or words used in the transfer which can lead to an uncorodinated transfer resulting in staff being injured.
In our hospitals they are also involved in bed transport of the patient between theatre and recovery/PACU so this woul dalso be a n opportunity to include bed height adjustment, and working together in a coordinated fashion with the person steering the bed to prevent body strain.

The anaesthetic techs assume sustained awkward postures so as well as including lateral transfers and interoperative repostioning, we also focus on self care techniques including reverse postural stretches.
We discuss varying their positions when able, using the table to rest as much of their body as possible,
and emphasise the need to ask and take breaks from their positions where ever possible.
Also varying their roles throughout their shift to avoid accumulative body stress.

All the best in your endeavours
Kate

[Kate Browne]

Hi Michelle,

I have attached a link below to an article on static charges which gives a perspective on the relative risk of static charge from slide sheets.
You will note that this article is an opinion expressed by the company who sells slide sheets .
That being said, anecdotally in 13 years working in this field I have yet to hear of any actual adverse incident relating to a static charge.

The slide sheet types they are referring to is Dragon: Durable nylon ripstop, with a water repellant urethane coating
and the other is Polyester Tafetta with a pigmented silicon coating.

If you want the more detailed report with goes with it please feel free to email me as i am unable to attach it here

http://www.polyglidesheet.com/Polyglide%20antistatic%20report.pdf

Hope this helps

Best regards
Kate

Kate Browne
Occupational Health Physiotherapist
StaySafe Handling
Ph/Fax:(09) 360 1751
Mobile: 021 507023
info@staysafehandling.co.nz
Web: http://www.staysafehandling.co.nz

http://www.polyglidesheet.com/Polyglide%20antistatic%20report.pdf

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