What Is Manual Handling in Aged Care?
Manual handling in aged care refers to tasks that involve lifting, transferring, repositioning, and supporting the movement of residents. These activities are a vital part of caregiving, ensuring that residents are moved safely and comfortably while maintaining their dignity. Caregivers may need to transfer a patient from a bed to the toilet, assist with walking, or reposition an individual to avert bedsore.
Adhering to proper manual handling techniques is crucial for the well-being of residents and the safety of caregivers. When executed properly, these procedures alleviate physical strain on caregivers and reduce the likelihood of injury or pain for residents. Due to the demanding aspects of aged care, comprehending and applying safe manual handling practices is essential for establishing a supportive care environment.
The utilisation of healthcare equipment, including turning systems, slings, ceiling hoists, and stand-up hoists, assists in reducing the force exerted by caregivers to avert heavy lifting and mitigate manual handling hazards in aged care facilities.
The Risks of Improper Manual Handling
Improper manual handling poses significant risks to both caregivers and residents. For caregivers, the most common consequence is injuries particularly to the back, shoulders, and wrists. These injuries can result from poor lifting techniques, repetitive motions, or overexertion. Left unaddressed, such injuries can lead to chronic pain or long-term health issues, reducing caregivers’ ability to perform their duties.
For residents, improper handling can lead to physical harm, including bruises, fractures, or skin tears. It can also cause emotional distress, as rough or hurried movements may make residents feel undignified or unsafe. For instance, failing to use appropriate equipment or techniques when transferring a resident from a bed to a chair could result in a fall, leading to serious injury.
Unwanted injuries may also result from the failure to utilise the appropriate manual handling equipment during patient lifts and transfers. In order to prevent these manual handling hazards in aged care, seek a reputable provider of patient lifting solutions, such as CHS Healthcare.
Common errors in manual handling include:
• Lifting without assistance or appropriate patient lifting equipment.
• Using incorrect posture or techniques.
• Ignoring the need for ergonomic modifications in the environment, which can be seen in patient lifting equipment.
These mistakes can have costly consequences, underscoring the importance of adhering to proper manual handling practices.
Best Practices for Safe Manual Handling
To ensure safety and comfort, caregivers should follow established best practices for manual handling:
- Use Proper Techniques:
o Bend at the knees, not the waist, and keep your back straight when moving patients.
o Hold objects or residents close to your body to reduce strain.
o Avoid twisting movements; instead, pivot with your feet to change direction. - Utilise Equipment:
o To avoid manual lifting and transfers of patients, use patient lifting solutions such as ceiling hoists, floor hoists, stand & transfer aids, slings, bathroom aids, and turning systems to reduce physical effort.
o Ensure equipment is well-maintained and appropriate for the task. - Training and Assessments:
o Caregivers should receive regular training about the importance of manual handling in aged care and manual handling hazards in aged care
o Conduct assessments about the examples of manual handling equipment used in aged care, specifying when and where caregivers should appropriately utilise it. - Create an Ergonomic Environment:
o Adjust the height of beds and chairs to reduce the need for awkward postures.
o Ensure that spaces are free of obstacles to allow safe and efficient movement.
o Invest in patient lifting solutions with ergonomic technology, such as that healthcare equipment offered by CHS Healthcare.
By adopting these practices, aged care facilities can significantly reduce the risk of injury and create a safer, more respectful environment for residents and caregivers alike.
How CHS Healthcare Supports Safe Manual Handling
The team at CHS Healthcare are committed to enhancing the safety and comfort of aged care environments through innovative patient solutions. Its range of products, including ceiling hoists, floor hoists, stand & transfer aids, slings, bathroom aids, and turning systems is designed to make manual handling tasks safer, more comfortable and efficient.
CHS Healthcare equipment entirely takes away physical strain on caregivers by providing the necessary support for lifting, transferring, and repositioning residents.
By investing in the right healthcare equipment and training, aged care providers can create a safer and more efficient environment. CHS Healthcare is always ready to support your journey towards better care with innovative solutions tailored to your needs.