Feasibility of a nurse staffed lift team

The present investigation evaluated the feasibility of creating a lift team with existent medical center nursing staff. Four nurse volunteers at low risk for injury were trained in proper lifting techniques and equipment use. Scheduled and paged maximal assistance transfers were performed by rotating pairs of team members over 21 days. The team successfully completed 94% of requested lifts, averaging 25 per day. Transfers between bed and chair were performed most frequently with the aid of a transfer belt. Greatest demands for team services were on a nursing home unit and an extended/subacute care unit. Unit staff responded positively to the team. Further research is needed to determine the team's impact on unit wide staff injuries and to evaluate the long term effects of working as a lift team member.