Those who enjoy caring for people in California often work in the healthcare industry. While this industry is relatively safe, you can still get injured while working as a healthcare professional. One of the most common ways medical workers get hurt is by lifting patients. With that in mind, here are a few tips for health care workers wanting to safely lift and move patients.
Avoid lifting a patient by yourself
Sometimes, medical facilities can get quite busy. Considering that, you might think about lifting a patient by yourself to avoid waiting for help to arrive. With that said, you’ll want to rethink this decision. If you’re moving more than 35 pounds of your patient’s weight by yourself, it’s strongly advised to ask for assistance before doing any additional lifting.
Don’t rush moving a patient
Most healthcare workers are under pressure to care for lots of people. However, don’t let a fast-paced working environment cause you to avoid safe patient handling practices. Instead, give yourself and any partners the time and space everyone needs. You might also consider using a mechanical lifting device. This device might take longer to move a patient, but it helps ensure all parties remain safe.
Don’t brush off workplace injuries
Hopefully, you can work in the healthcare field and avoid getting injured. Unfortunately, certain workers in this field might write off workplace injuries as part of their jobs. However, no employee’s injuries should ever be a normal part of their respective professions. If you get injured while working, report what happened right away. Reporting your injury right away is a key factor in any workers’ compensation claim.
Most healthcare facilities have guidelines and rules in place to prevent their staff from injuries. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that these rules will eliminate the risk of a healthcare worker getting injured. To help ensure you remain safe, ask for help, take your time and use a mechanical lift if possible.
