The clinical nurse specialist as change agent: reducing employee injury and related costs
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Carol A Sedlak1, Margaret O Doheny, Susan L Jones
1Kent State University, College of Nursing, Kent, Ohio 44242, USA. csedlak@kent.edu
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was, first, to examine the role of the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) as it relates to the implementation of a CNS-initiated Safe Movement Program and, second, to report findings from a CNS-initiated safe movement program (SMP) in reducing healthcare workers' injuries and related costs.
Design:
A longitudinal preimplementation and postimplementation study design was used.
Setting:
Healthcare workers in a 156-bed, extended-care facility (nursing home) participated in the study.
Sample:
Participants at the onset of the study included 52 healthcare workers who participated in the study preimplementation and postimplementation of the SMP. Attrition resulted in a final sample of 46.
Methods:
Data were collected on healthcare workers' perceptions of injuries as well as existing incident reports and workers' compensation records preimplementation and postimplementation of the study.
Findings:
Outcomes included major reduction in healthcare worker injuries and related workers' compensation cost savings. The number of healthcare workers who thought an injury occurred as a result of lifting or transferring a resident was reduced by 75%, and perceptions of lifting and transfer injuries resulting in a back strain were reduced by 80%. The number of times in a month healthcare workers felt lifting or transferring a resident was "too much" for them was reduced by 73%. Workers' compensation insurance was reduced by 93%.
Conclusions:
A CNS-initiated SMP reduces injuries and costs and may recoup the cost of the program in 5 years.
Implications:
Job-related musculoskeletal injuries are a critical problem. As the healthcare workforce continues to age, a comprehensive SMP needs to be implemented to ensure safety of employees in the clinical practice setting. The program may pay for itself in 5 years.
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