Benefits of Implementing a Safe Benefits of Implementing a Safe Resident Handling Program in Resident Handling Program in
Nursing HomesNursing Homes
2
Overview
• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most frequent injuries experienced by nursing home workers
• In 2010*, these injuries accounted for 29% of all workplace injuries and illnesses requiring time away from work
* Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010 Data
3
Overview (cont’d)
• Studies* have shown that nursing homes that implemented safe resident lifting and repositioning programs have achieved many benefits such as:– reduced work-related injuries– reduced workers’ compensation costs – improved employee morale – increased resident comfort
*Source: Association of Occupational Healthcare Professionals in Healthcare (AOHP)
Overview (cont’d)
4
The goal of this presentation is to highlight five nursing homes that have successfully
implemented safe resident handling programs, including the results they achieved
5
Success Story #1*
• State – Florida• Company – Veterans’ Health Administration• Employees – 15,000, staff in 23 high risk units 800• The Problem – Workers in high risk units suffered injuries
resulting in disability and high workers’ compensation costs• The Solution – A targeted back prevention program was
developed and implemented resulting in a program to redesign high risk activities
*Source: Results from VISN-Wide Deployment of Back Injury Prevention Program for Nurses (Nelson, Fragala, Matz, 2003)
6
Success Story #1 - The Impact
Success Story #1 - The Impact
14424
2061
256
$481
99 16.9
256 209 $203
Reported Inj Inj IncidentRate
Modified DutyDays
Lost WorkDays
Injury Costs($Thousands)
Pre-Intervention Post-Intervention
31% 30% 88% 18% 58%
7
Success Story #2*
• State - Missouri and Illinois• Company - BJC Health System, St. Louis, Missouri• Employees - 460 direct patient staff at 6 sites• The Problem - Staff responsible for assisting dependent
residents were at a high risk for occupational injuries from high risk activities
• The Solution – A zero-lift policy that uses state-of-the art equipment to assist with patient transfers, training in use of equipment, and a medical management program
*Source: Intervention Program for Transferring Residents in Nursing Homes, (Collins, Wolf, Hsiao, 2002)
8
Success Story #2 - The Impact
Success Story #2 - The Impact
141
15.77
$159
68
7.93
$62
Lifting Related Injuries Injury Incident Rate Injury Costs ($Thousands)
Pre-Intervention Post-Intervention
51.8%
49.7%
61.2%
9
Success Story #3*
• State - Connecticut• Company – Masonic Home and Hospital, Wallingford,
Connecticut• Employees – 1200• The Problem – Insurance records indicated that 1,025
workdays were lost as a result of injuries involving patient handling tasks
• The Solution – Facility identified high risk units, purchased lifting aid devices, and introduced an ergonomic management program
*Source: An Ergonomic Back Injury Prevention Program at Masonic Home and Hospital, (Fragala, 1995)
10
Success Story #3 – The Impact
Success Story #3 - The Impact
1025
$174
$629
81$5
$143
Annual Lost Work Days Injury Assessments - 4Month Period($Thousands)
Incurred Annual Worker'sComp. Costs($Thousands)
Pre-Intervention Post-Intervention
92.1%
97.4%
77.2%
11
Success Story #4*
• State – Multiple• Company – Diamond Insurance Group, insuring three skilled
nursing facility chains which were Heritage Enterprise, Dynamic Healthcare, and Christian Homes
• Employees – Multiple locations 1,000 plus• The Problem – Lost work days due to injury and illness were
2.5 times the average for all private industry in U.S.• The Solution – Implemented limited lift policy consisting of
four distinct phases resulting in a reduction of recordable injuries, lost workdays, and workers’ compensations costs
*Source: Limit Liability with Lift Programs (Moreno, 2003)
12
Success Story #4 – The Impact
Success Story #4 - The Impact
96% 94%
30%
57%
89%
75%
47%
27%
97%86%
44%
57%
Decrease: OSHARecordable
Resident HandlingInjuries
Decrease: LostWorkday Injuries
Related to ResidentHandling
Decrease: TotalWorker's Comp.
Claims
Decrease: TotalWorkers' Comp.Claims in Dollars
Incurred
Heritage Enterprise Dynamic Health Care Christian Homes
13
Success Story #5*
• State – Wheeling, West Virginia• Company – Good Shepherd Nursing Home• Employees – 240 full time and part time employees• The Problem –Lifting of residents caused many staff back
injuries• The Solution – A safety committee analyzed injuries/
incidents and bought mechanical lifting devices resulting in a decrease in injury and illness rates
*Source: OSHA’s Small Business Success Stories Page
14
Success #5 - The Impact
• Good Shepherd dramatically reduced its injury and illness rate from 31 to 2.1 with assistance from OSHA On-site Consultation Program
• In addition, Good Shepherd’s workers’ compensation rate declined, and workers’ compensation insurance premiums were reduced by nearly $2,000,000 dollars
Summary
• Benefits of Implementing a Safe Resident Handling Program– reduced work-related injuries– reduced workers’ compensation costs– improved employee morale – increased resident comfort
15
16
Summary (cont’d)
The real QUESTION is…
“Whether it is too expensive NOT to implement a Safe
Resident Handling program?”
What Should You Do Now?
• Develop a management process to reduce MSDs that includes:– Identifying jobs and job tasks which stress body parts
beyond limits– Identifying and developing solutions to change these tasks
demands– Use a well thought out process to implement changes into
your workplace– Monitor and evaluate results
17
Resources
18
OSHA’s Nursing Home and Personal Care Facilities Page: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/nursinghome/index.html
OSHA Ergonomics Success Stories:http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/success_stories.html
Guidelines for Nursing Homes:http://www.osha.gov/ergonomics/guidelines/nursinghome/index.html