Training in handling: an evaluative study.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Ergonomics
• Patient Handling Safety

Background:

• Work-related backache is a significant issue in healthcare.
• Manual handling training is widely implemented but its effectiveness is often unproven due to lack of evaluation.
• Patient handling in hospitals presents unique ergonomic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a specific patient handling training program in a hospital setting.
• To assess the adherence of trained orderlies to taught patient handling techniques.
• To identify factors influencing the application of training in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• A field study involving 32 trained orderlies was conducted.
• An observational grid was developed and validated to characterize patient handling operations.
• The utilization of taught handling methods and deviations were systematically recorded and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Taught principles, such as maintaining a straight back and using leg muscles, were infrequently applied by orderlies.
• Training adherence varied significantly based on the type of handling task.
• Techniques were more frequently used in vertical handling compared to horizontal handling (e.g., in-bed maneuvers).

Conclusions:

• Current patient handling training programs may not be adequately adapted to the realities of hospital work, particularly horizontal transfers.
• Physical constraints in the workplace limit the applicability of some training principles.
• The underlying rationale of certain training components, like the emphasis on leg use, warrants further investigation.