The Importance of Safe Patient Handling to Create a Culture of Safety: An Evidential Review

Abstract

Objective:To investigate the influence of three different types of shoe models frequently worn at home, including an open heel shoe model, on gait parameters that are associated with fall risk in older persons. Methods:Twenty-five community-dwelling independent older persons were asked to walk on an electronic walkway system, the GAITRite ® walkway, while wearing three different shoe models which are frequently worn at home. We measured spatial and temporal gait parameters. Results:Gait velocity and stride length were significantly reduced, and step time, stance, and double support time were significantly increased, when older persons wore an open heel shoe model compared to the high collar shoe models. Conclusion:Wearing an open heel shoe model is associated with gait parameters that are associated with fall risk, compared with a high collar shoe model, in community-dwelling older persons. With regard to falls prevention, further attention for footwear in older persons seems warranted, especially for footwear worn in and around the home.

Impacts of Manual Handling Training and Lifting Devices on Risks of Back Pain among Nurses: An Integrative Literature Review

“…Lim et al (2011) found that a multi-factor ergonomic intervention program reduced work-related repeated injuries among health care workers. Also, Humrickhouse and Knibbe (2016) found out that safe patient handling (SPH) programs were more effective in facilitating the improvement in safe patient handling and mobility practices and reducing musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare workers than single interventions. These findings are supported by Schoenfisch, Lipscomb, Pompeii, Myers, and Dement (2013).…”