Chhokar R, Engst C, Miller A, Robinson D, Tate RB, Yassi A, et al.
Applied ergonomics. Date of publication 2005 Mar 1;volume 36(2):223-9.
1. Appl Ergon. 2005 Mar;36(2):223-9. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2004.10.008. Epub 2005
Jan 17.
The three-year economic benefits of a ceiling lift intervention aimed to reduce
healthcare worker injuries.
Chhokar R(1), Engst C, Miller A, Robinson D, Tate RB, Yassi A.
Author information:
(1)Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare in British Columbia,
301-1195 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6H3X5.
rchhokar@interchange.ubc.ca
Ceiling lifts are frequently advocated to mitigate risk of injury to healthcare
workers when lifting, transferring, or repositioning patients. A longitudinal
case-study was conducted in an extended care facility to evaluate the efficacy
of overhead lifts in reducing the risk of injury beyond that previously reported
for the first year post-intervention (Am. Assoc. Occup. 50 (3) (2002) 120-127,
128-134). Analysis of injury trends spanning 3 years pre-intervention and 3
years post-intervention, found a significant and sustained decrease in days
lost, workers' compensation claims, and direct costs associated with patient
handling injuries. The payback period was estimated assuming that
pre-intervention injury costs would either continue to increase (0.82 years) or
plateau (2.50 years) in the year immediately preceding intervention. The rapid
economic gains and sustained reduction in the frequency and cost of patient
handling injuries beyond the first year strongly advocate for ceiling lift
programs as an intervention strategy.
DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2004.10.008
PMID: 15694077 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
