The handling of patients on geriatric wards. A challenge for on-the-job training

Patient lifting habits were studied on seven geriatric wards in five hospitals. The methods used were workplace analysis, questionnaire and video analysis of lifts. Mechanical hoists were regularly used only on the ward that had well organised on-the-job-training. The reasons given for not using the hoist (lack of space or time, etc) were similar on this and the other wards where hoists were used irregularly. Lifting with hoists is slower than without aids, but the total extra time needed for their use is only 3-6% of the 8-hour work shift. Stooped and twisted trunk positions occurred less often when lifting aids were used than without an aid. However, some nurses worked in bad spine-loading positions, even when using lifting aids. To eliminate these postures from nursing work, more attention should be paid to working postures during the organised training of patient handling.