Evaluation of a patient-handling training program in hospitals

Abstract

Despite their long history, hospital training programs in patient-handling have rarely been evaluated, and their effectiveness therefore remains unclear. This project evaluates one such program widely used in the sector, determines the extent to which the patient-handling methods taught are applied in actual practice, characterizes the handling methods actually used, and explains the discrepancies between the methods taught and those used.

Visits were made to 4 geriatric care units, and 32 employees having received training were interviewed. Using an assessment framework designed specifically for this purpose, over 1,400 instances of patient-handling were documented. It was evident that the principles of patient-handling taught are rarely applied. The types of behaviour adopted as alternatives to those taught were characterized. The low frequency with which the handling techniques taught in the training courses are used suggests that these practices are generally poorly-adapted to the realities of hospital practice, and do not consider all the relevant stressors; this is particularly so for a number of specific handling practices.

Three major recommendations are made: 1) that larger-scale evaluative studies be performed; 2) that workers be fully involved in the planning of training programs; and 3) that alternate principles of patient handling be considered.

Produced Under this Project

Scientific Reports

Analysis of work accidents in hospital settings Research Summary: PR-067
Evaluation of a training program in handling in hospitals Research Summary: PR-068
Summary of three studies on male and female orderlies in an extended care hospital Literature review: B-035

Scientific Publications

Training in handling of patients : An evaluative study
St-Vincent M., Lortie M., Chantal Tellier
Source :
Ergonomics, vol. 32, no 2, 1989, p. 191-210
A new approach for the evaluation of training program in safe lifting
St-Vincent M., Lortie M., Chantal Tellier
Source :
in International Industrial Ergonomics and Safety Conference, (2e : 1987 : Miami, Florida), Trends in Ergonomics/Human Factors IV: Proceedings of the Annual International Industrial Ergonomics and Safety Conference held in Miami, Florida, 9-12 June 1987, Asfour
Evaluation of accident risks associated with handling activities: insufficient criteria presently used
Lortie M., Gagnon M., St-Vincent M.
Source :
in Trends in Ergonomics/Human Factors IV, North Holland, 1987, p. 795-802
Le travail de manutention en milieu hospitalier: analyse comparative des méthodes enseignées et de celles utilisées réellement en milieu de travail
St-Vincent M., Lortie M., Chantal Tellier
Source :
in L'ergonomie et la sécurité : 20e congrès de l'Association canadienne d'ergonomie / ACE, (20e : 14-17 octobre, 1987 : Montréal, Canada), 1987, p. 151-154
Training in safe lifting : are the methods taught used by workers
St-Vincent M., Lortie M., Chantal Tellier
Source :
in Proceedings of musculoskeletal disorders at work, P. Buckle (éd.), 1987, Taylor & Francis, p. 159-164
L'enseignement des techniques de manutention en milieu de travail: le cas des hôpitaux
St-Vincent M., Lortie M.
Source :
in Proceedings of Canadian Industrial Relation Association, (20th : 1985), p. 227-242
Les programmes de formation à la manutention dans le secteur hospitalier: leur évaluation par l'étude des comportements de travail
St-Vincent M., Lortie M., Chantal Tellier
Source :
in Annual Conference of the Human Factors Association of Canada, (18e : 1985 : Hull, Canada), Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Human Factors Association of Canada, september 1985, Hull, 1985, p. 59-62
Formation à la manutention: des principes difficiles à appliquer
St-Vincent M., Chantal Tellier
Source :
Santé et travail, no 9, 1994, p. 51-57
Évaluation d'un programme de formation à la manutention dans le secteur hospitalier
St-Vincent M., Lortie M., Chantal Tellier
Source :
in Congrès de la Société d'ergonomie de langue française / SELF, (22e : octobre 1986 : Angers), 1986, p. 57

Additional Information

Type: Project

Number: 0085-0190

Status: Completed

Year of completion: 1988

Research Field: Special Projects

Team:

Marie St-Vincent (IRSST)
Chantal Tellier (IRSST)