Faculty Bibliography

BackgroundAcute care physical therapists are at risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) due to manual patient handling. Safe patient handling (SPH) reduces WMSDs caused by manual handling.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to describe the patient handling practices of acute care physical therapists and their perceptions regarding SPH. Additionally, this study determined if a SPH program influences the patient handling practices and perceptions regarding SPH of acute care physical therapists.MethodsSubscribers to the electronic discussion board of American Physical Therapy Association's Acute Care Section were invited to complete a survey questionnaire.ResultsThe majority of respondents used SPH equipment and practices (91.1%), were confident using SPH equipment and practices (93.8%), agreed that evidence supports the use of SPH equipment and practices (87.0%) and reported the use of SPH equipment and practices is feasible (92.2%). Respondents at a facility with a SPH program were more likely to use SPH equipment and practices (P=.020), have received training in the use of SPH equipment and practices (P=.000), agree that the use of SPH equipment and practices was feasible (P=.029) and feel confident using SPH equipment and practices (P=.001).LimitationsThe study might not reflect the perceptions and practices of the population of acute care physical therapists.ConclusionsAcute care physical therapists are trained to use SPH equipment and practices, use SPH equipment and practices, and have positive perceptions regarding SPH. Acute care physical therapists in a facility with a SPH program are more likely to use SPH equipment and practices, receive training in SPH equipment and practices, and have positive perceptions regarding SPH. Quasi-regulatory organizations should incorporate SPH programs into their evaluative standards.

This case study will describe the journey of a patient admitted to an urban, tertiary medical center for bariatric surgery and the unexpected challenges encountered by the clinical staff in caring for him. Despite having awell-established bariatric surgical program, it took only one patient who deviated from the "norm" to cause thestaff to reexamine the way that bariatric patients are cared for in the facility, particularly with regard to their mobility and safe patient handling needs. The lessons learned from this experience and the patient’s own perspective have enabled a more informed approach to how bariatric patients are cared for throughout the hospital and led to an adjustment of protocols in this area of practice