Resident Transfer Drills

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Resident Transfer Drills

• Audit Your Resident Transfer Program
• Presented By
• John Kiefner, CSP, ARM
• Vice President, Risk Control
• Johnson, Kendall Johnson

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Resident Handling Statistics

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Resident Handling Injuries

• Resident
• Skin tears
• Falls
• Fracture
• Bruising
• more

• Employee
• Back injuries
• Various sprain/strains
• Combative injuries
• more

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Past Resources

• Ergonomic Guidelines For Nursing Homes
• NJ Patient Handling Act
• NIOSH Lift Equation
• No Lift Guidelines

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LTC Current Initiatives

• Review of resident handling injuries
• Review of written resident handling program
• Training
• Ongoing resident evaluations

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Why do resident handling injuries continue to
occur?

• Written programs are not always realistic and are
  not always followed by employees
• Employee behavior and decision making behind
  closed doors does not coincide with the written
  program
• Improper resident assessment (initial ongoing)

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The Resident Transfer Drill
Purpose To audit your Resident Transfer Program

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Goals Of The Resident Transfer Drill

• Prepare for a real life scenario
• See first hand how staff responds to the
  situation presented
• Identify areas for improvement from a physical
  and behavioral standpoint

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Resident Transfer Drill Sequence
Step 1 Set up scenario in an empty or vacant
resident room. For example, fallen resident on
floor at side of bed with hip pain. The
resident can be a fellow employee, DON,
Administrator, Exec. Director, etc.
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Resident Transfer Drill Sequence
Step 2 Ring the call bell. Step 3 Greet staff
at the door, explain that a resident transfer
drill is taking place and that there are no
negative outcomes from the drill (learning
experience only!)
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Resident Transfer Drill Sequence
Step 4 Observe and document decision and
actions of employees, intervening only when the
staff or resident is at risk.
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Items To Observe

• Was there proper communication between the
  employees and the resident throughout the
  drill?
• If the drill involved a fallen resident, was a
  pre-transfer resident assessment completed?
• Was the resident transfer conducted as indicated
  on the care plan?

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Items To Observe

• If the drill involved a fallen resident in a
  tight area, did the staff properly clear the area
  for the lift?
• If area was not accessible by lift, was a draw
  sheet or slip sheet used to get the resident to
  a lift accessible area?

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Items To Observe

• If a lift was used, was the sling positioned and
  attached properly?
• Are employee supportingthe residents head?
• If a lift was used to transfer from the floor,
  were the lift legs been padded with pillows or
  other soft items to prevent skin tears?

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Items To Observe

• If a lift is used, are the brakes left unlocked
  to allow the lift to continuously find the center
  of gravity?
• If a lift is used, are employees familiarwith
  the lift controls and its capabilities?
• Where manual lifting is conducted, are employees
  practicing proper body mechanics?

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Summarizing Observations

• Explain positive observations to employees
• Explain areas that can be improved
• Open discussion

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Educational Opportunities

• Wrap up summary
• In-service for employees on wing, pod, or floor
• Further discussion regarding PT evaluations
• Familiarity with hands-on use of the lifts

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Common Findings

• Lack of communication
• Poor decision making
• Improper lifting technique
• Improper use of lifts
• Lack of understanding regarding lift functions

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Follow Up To The Drills

• Discussion of the drills with departments
• Lift demos with departments
• Discussions regarding items that can be used in
  conjunction w/lifts (slip sheets, slide boards,
  etc.)

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Positive Results

• Heightened awareness of injury potential
• Better communication with resident
• Better understanding of use of lifts
• Increased use of lifts
• Fewer accidents
• Happier residents / staff

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Resident Transfer Drills

• Audit Your Resident Transfer Program
• Presented By
• John Kiefner, CSP, ARM
• Vice President, Risk Control
• Johnson, Kendall Johnson