Nursing

In the news: Training day helps nurses learn how to handle heavier patients

Stressed Out Nurses Weekly, July 19, 2010

Memorial Medical Center (IL) recently held an event for its staff to learn safe ways for about handling heavier patients. At Memorial's "Handle with Care" demonstrations, employees were shown the proper way to use special new machines that help lift overweight patients. Staff were also shown ergonomically correct techniques to lift patients, help them walk, and assist them in getting out of bed.

Ceiling-mounted lift costs around $7,000-$14,000, and an injury to a patient due to the misuse of such equipment can cost the hospitals thousands of dollars, so allowing nurses and other staff to receive training on this equipment is invaluable, says Don Cody, Memorial Health's ergonomics coordinator, in an official statement to The State Journal Register.

The number of overweight patients continues to grow across the country. Below are some facts presented by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services about the ever growing rate of obesity in the United States:

  • Two-thirds of all U.S. adults and nearly one-third of children and teens are obese or overweight. The number of obese adults has doubled since 1980.
  • Obesity is related to more than 20 chronic diseases, and obesity-related medical costs are nearly 10% of all annual medical spending.

Source: BeHealthySpringfield.com

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