Welcome to this site where we provide information on ergonomic approaches for lifting and moving patients based on our research.
Our most recent project titled “Preventing Firefighter Injuries when Handling Obese Patients” was funded by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation in 2016.
This project included focus groups and interviews to learn about the challenging patient handling scenarios that occur within patient’s homes. In this process we asked our participants to describe situations that they have encountered and the challenges they faced in these situations. The pie chart below shows where the described scenarios took place.
Figure 1. The locations described in the firefighters’ scenarios.
Figure 2. Examples of products from the sketch and pass brainstorming process
Following the initial discussions, we engaged the firefighter participants in brainstorming sessions to think about new ways of lifting and moving these patients. We often us what we term the “sketch and pass” method in which our research participants spend 10 to 15 minutes sketching and idea or concept for an ergonomic solution that could be used in one or more of the previously discussed scenarios. These initial sketches are then passed around in an orderly fashion to others participating in the exercise who were asked to add to the drawing, or if it created a new idea, draw an additional sketch. Some of the products of this method are shown in figure 2. This brainstorming process was followed by a discussion that addressed both feasibility and usability issues.
In the next phase we found existing products or created prototypes that met the needs firefighters expressed in the sketches. The focus groups were reconvened to determine the usefulness and desirability of 13 ergonomic solutions. Figure 3 shows where the different solutions could be used in the patient handling workflow.
Figure 3. Where the patient handling solutions can be used in the patient handling workflow.
Information about each of these patient handling solutions can be obtained through the following links:
1. Patient Turning Straps
2. Strap Inserter
3. Slingserter
4. Binder Lift
5. Simple Strap
6. Slip Preventer
7. The Lift Assist
8. Inflatable cushion
9. Indeelift
10. Hoverjack
11. Hovermat
12. Poles for megamover
13. Subway sled