2025-001 Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) A Process to Protect Health Care Workers and Recipients: Highlights from the Joint AIHA/ASPHP/ANA 2024 White Paper.
Lynda Enos RN, BSN, MS, COHN-S, CPE, Colin J. Brigham, BS, MS, CSPHP-Retired, FAIHA AIHA Ergonomics Committee, ASPHP Past President, Retired. and James D. McGlothlin, PhD, CPE, FAIHA, AIHA Ergonomics and Sensors Committees, Professor Emeritus, Purdue University.
The 'Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) A Process to Protect Health Care Workers and Recipients' white paper 2024, was sponsored and developed jointly by the American Industrial Hygiene Association's (AIHA) Ergonomics Committee, the AIHA Realtime Detection Systems Committee, the Association for Safe Patient Handling Professionals and the American Nurses Association.
The paper was developed to raise awareness of the vital and immediate need to integrate SPHM into US healthcare systems to protect and retain the healthcare workforce and provide safer, higher quality of care to patients.
2025-002 Leveraging Innovative Technology to Alleviate Caregiver Burden in Patient Repositioning: A Modern Solution for Improved Care
Erica Thibault MS RN CNS APN CWON and Stuti Prajapati OTR/L CLWT (Director of Rehabilitation services- Andrus on Hudson)
Mobilizing and repositioning patients significantly impacts healthcare workers' (HCWs) physical health, being the leading cause of musculoskeletal injuries, particularly back and shoulder injuries, which make up 71% of all claims. OSHA estimates the annual cost of back injuries among HCWs could reach $20 billion. Patient immobility can lead to complications like muscle atrophy, pressure injuries, deep vein thrombosis, pneumonia, and other health issues, affecting recovery and outcomes. Early mobilization improves outcomes and reduces length of stay but is often missed due to insufficient assistive personnel and equipment. Despite the proven benefits, Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) techniques and equipment remain underutilized.
2025-003 Bridging the Gap: The Critical Role of End-User Engagement in Medical Device Development
Sean Meehan, BSN, RN, PHN, CSRN and Trixie Guillergan, MBA, BSN, RN
As healthcare technology advances, medical devices often overlook end-user input, resulting in products with fundamental flaws, inefficiencies, complexity, and can lead to reluctance in using. By centering end-users in product development, manufacturers can create innovative, user-friendly technology that is more effective and widely accepted in clinical settings.
2025-004 The Benefits of Using Air in Safe Patient Handling
Lindsey Longshore, MSN, RN, CMSRN, AOEE and Valorie Brooks, RN, BSN, CRRN UPLIFT Facilitator, Prisma Health
Bed positioning and lateral transfers are two repetitive tasks performed by team members throughout their shift. Repositioning and lateral transfer injury restricted days had increased by 35%, lost days by 311%, and cost of injuries by 84%. The UPLIFT Facilitators researched multiple Safe Patient Handling products that could reduce and prevent team member injuries while performing repetitive repositioning tasks and lateral transfers. The review determined that the introduction of an air mat that could remain under patients during their admission would be necessary. Therefore, a manufacturer was found that fit the needed criteria.
2025-005 Achieving Full Engagement: A Multidisciplinary New Role Implementation with a New Platform for Safe Patient Handling and Fall Prevention
Kelly Drilling, MSN, RN, Dr. Laura Breeher, MD, MPH, Mayo Clinic, Meghan Troska, RN; Mayo Clinic, Kristyne Ellefson, RN; Mayo Clinic, Julianna Lee, RN; Mayo Clinic, Jon Meyers, RN; Mayo Clinic, Anna Nos, MSN, RN; Mayo Clinic, Katie Morgan, RN, MSN; Mayo Clinic, Michon Pingree, RN; Mayo Clinic and Julie Stene MSN, MHA, RN; Mayo Clinic
Our organization recognized the need to reinvigorate fall prevention and safe patient handling (SPH) efforts during our post-COVID recovery phase. The newly created role of the Safe Mobility Champion (SMC) embodies the vigilant guardian and transformational leader, which are values of our organization. The SMCs enhance patient safety and mobility with collaborative efforts among a multidisciplinary group of healthcare professionals including registered nurses, patient care assistants, technicians, desk operations staff, and transporters. A need was identified to bring these professionals together, helping them grow their skills and influence culture change on their units regarding safe mobility practices.
2025-006 Physiological Responses of Patient Handling Interventions During Repetitive Transfer Tasks
Ashley L. Hawke, M.S., Liying Zheng, PhD, Biomechanical Engineer, NIOSH/CDC and Steven J. Elmer, PhD, Associate Professor, St. Catherine University
One of the most prominent concerns in patient handling is the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among healthcare workers performing manual tasks. It has been shown that the use of assistive devices significantly reduces biomechanical stress, musculoskeletal pain, and injury rates during patient handling tasks [1,2]. In addition to mechanical lifts, portable passive interventions are also of interest, such as gait belts, slider sheets, and most recently, exoskeletons, which have been proposed to assist with patient handling tasks [3-5]. There is currently no literature regarding the physiological responses of patient handling interventions during repetitive transfer tasks. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the physiological responses to using assistive devices to provide a better understanding of the roles each device may play in reducing MSDs.
2025-008 Not One Size Fits All: Evidence Based Review Supporting the Use of Bariatric Wedges
Elizabeth Doherty MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC
Bariatric patients, particularly those with a BMI over 30, are at heightened risk for pressure injuries due to increased body mass, limited mobility, and challenges in manual handling (Marshall et al., 2023). The absence of specialized repositioning tools, such as wedges designed for this population, exacerbates these risks, leading to higher incidences of skin breakdown and discomfort (McClean et al., 2021; Capasso et al., 2022). Inappropriately sized equipment provides no benefit to these patients.
Caregivers face significant physical strain, emotional distress, and increased injury risk when working without proper equipment, further driving financial costs for healthcare facilities in managing staff injuries and prolonged patient stays. To improve outcomes, there is an urgent need for bariatric-specific equipment, particularly repositioning wedges, to reduce pressure, mitigate friction and shear to , ensureing safer conditions for both patients and staff.
2025-009 Up Sooner Safer: Return on Investment of a Safe Patient Handling & Progressive Mobility Program
Travis Eckard PT, DPT
The importance of mobility in the acute-hospital setting appears intuitive. The more a patient moves, the shorter the hospital stay, the more likely the patient can go home. However, when a hospital's culture needs to be changed to reach this level of patient activity, the practical questions arise; How do we get there and How much does it cost? Making that leap of faith and the resulting impact on the hospital.
This poster presentation will explore and reflect on the experience of a public, safety-net hospital;
- Impact on SPH injuries including;
- Severity of Injuries
- Cost per episode
- Cumulative Annual Savings
- Comparison of Employee Days Lost to Injury
- Examining the ROI by analyzing the decrease in employee injuries and workers' compensation savings
This assessment and evaluation of a sustainable SPH/Progressive Mobility program can provide others with touchstones in which to reference when attempting to find funding and organizational support.
2025-010 Creative Solutions for Delirium, Fall Prevention, and Early Mobility
Joni Danjczek, BSN, RN, CNML, Arefeh Razavi, BSN, RN, CMSRN, Assistant Nurse Manager, Duke Regional Hospital, Amanda Bisset, MD, Director of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, Duke Regional Hospital, Faith Waters, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Clinical Operations Director, Duke Regional Hospital, Tammi Hicks, DNP, RN, CEN, NE-BC, Clinical Operations Director, Duke Regional Hospital, Krishan Sivaraj, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine, Duke Regional Hospital, Stephanie Ross, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, MEDSURG-BC Geriatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Duke Regional Hospital and Jennifer McIlvaine, PT, MSPT, CSPHP Safe Patient Handling Specialist, Duke University Health System
Patients with dementia and behavior disturbance admitted to this acute care hospital neuro/general medical unit have longer than normal length of stays due to difficult discharge placements into new long-term care facilities. When patients are admitted for extended periods of time, sleep wake cycles are disturbed and boredom sets in, causing increased agitation. Patients with longer than average lengths of stays are prone to agitation and disruptive behavior which is dangerous for both the patients and staff members who care for them. Patients with delirium are more likely to sustain falls with injury and employees feel the implications of patient violence. The goal of this project was to reduce nursing assistant (NA) ratios in order to have more time to provide focused care including daily mobility per BMAT score and taking patients outside for nature immersion.
2025-011 Assessing Stair Evacuation Equipment: a Quality Improvement Study
Liying Zheng, Ph.D., Ashley Hawke, M.S.,Biomedical Engineer, NIOSH/CDC, Kevin Moore, M.S.,Health Scientist, NIOSH/CDC, Marie Martin, Ph.D., CSPHP Program Analyst, Safe Patient Handling and Mobility program, VHA Occupational Safety and Health and Kathleen Benson, PT, DPT, SPHM
Veterans Health Administration (VHA) implemented a comprehensive enterprise-wide national directive in 2008, requiring all healthcare systems to provide alternative technological solutions to manual patient handling techniques, such as overhead lift devices. This initiative has resulted in a 50% reduction in staff injuries related to patient handling. The Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) National Program under VHA is currently expanding beyond inpatient settings to offer SPHM technologies to veterans and their caregivers in various environments, including emergency evacuation. Additionally, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has played a crucial role in researching and promoting SPHM programs. NIOSH's research into the risks of manual patient handling and its development of evidence-based guidelines have been foundational to SPHM programs.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) has been developed to facilitate collaborative efforts between the Health Effects Laboratory Division (HELD) of NIOSH and the SPHM National Program of VHA (collectively, the “parties”) in conducting a project entitled “Safe Patient Handling and Mobility: Emergency Evacuation Equipment Safety and Usability.” This collaborative project aims to evaluate different types of emergency evacuation equipment and assist VHA in selecting more efficient and safer equipment. The collaboration focuses on achieving “zero harm” to patients and caregivers during patient handling in various working environments, including emergency evacuation. Specifically, building on previous studies and evaluation methods [1,2,3], this quality improvement study evaluates various assistive equipment for stair evacuation using kinematics, physiological measures (including muscle activity and heart rate), and subjective surveys.
2025-012 Embracing a culture of safety: Ceiling lift installation and education
Katherine Frampton Ms, OTR/L
Ceiling lifts are one of the most preferred and versatile pieces of safe patient handling and mobility (SPHM) equipment to support patient movement and team member safety 1,2,3,4. University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus (UMMC MTC) had a limited number of ceiling lifts that were under-utilized due to poor design, and not having a culture of mobility in place.
Leadership saw the need to support team member safety while encouraging mobility and approved a budget for additional ceiling lift installation in the hospital.
2025-013 Inflation is a good thing! How Team members in our radiology department use air to reduce risk of team member and patient injury
Leslie Smith Wood, DPT, CSCS, AOEAS, Anthony Calise RT(R) Manager of Diagnostic Imaging University of Virginia Health System, Robert Hunsberger RT(R) Imaging Supervisor University of Virginia Health System and Kohl Kershisnik PT, MSPT Clinical Level IV Physical Therapist University of Virginia Health System
Historically our Radiology and Imaging departments have been in the top two departments with the greatest team member injuries. We found an article that surveyed over 600 working radiographers showed that 81% of the radiographers experiencing pain or discomfort while performing patient cases. ¹ In an attempt to keep our staff healthy and pain free, we did a deep dive into the injuries and identified that placing imaging plates under dependent patients contributed to a high frequency of team member injuries and had resulted in several career ending injuries and a patient Hospital Acquired Pressure Injury (HAPI). We started researching the forces produced with plate placement and trying to identify bed features and equipment we could utilize to reduce the forces and risk of team member injuries.
Through our previous testing we discovered that speed of plate placement was directly related to forces produced at the risk faster speed more force, so we educated team members to push plates at slower more controlled speeds. ² We also discovered using our air friction reduction device (AFRD) greatly reduced wrist forces needed to place plates especially with abdominal and pelvic detector placement for to Radiologic Technologists.² In addition to these discoveries, we identified several areas the team is placing multiple plates including complex cases (ED, ECMO, OR and MICU patients). We met with their leadership and developed plans to support their team members by ensuring access to air supplies and education on the importance of patient defined criteria supporting the need of AFRD for imaging studies.
Our previous pressure mapping showed a dual benefit a reduction of forces for the team members wrist and reduced the pressure on the patients' skin, protecting our team members from musculoskeletal injuries, and patients from skin shear/friction reducing risk of HAPI's. ² We recognized there is a difference in using a single air supply vs two for the patients' skin integrity, as our patients complained of being able to feel the plate being placed and sometimes pinching with less or no air. We knew inflating the AFRD was beneficial based on pressure mapping but wanted to defined the best criteria factors indicating the use of one versus two blowers, so we decided to do a deeper dive on the pelvic and abdominal plate placement under patients of various heights and weights.
2025-014 A Comparative Force Test of Products Used for Patient Repositioning in
Ryan Osterlind CEES ASPHA and Patricia Mechan , PT DPT MPH CSPHP, Clinical Director of Guldmann North America
Evidenced based literature cites the importance of establishing the optimal repositioning tools and techniques for skin health that are clinically effective for patients yet minimizing the negative effects on staff to prevent injuries. Repositioning tasks are the most frequently occurring cause of caregiver musculoskeletal injuries in healthcare providers. A crucial aspect of Winchester Hospital’s SPHM program is to convey essential knowledge to caregivers to understand their risk for injury when performing repositioning tasks in a variety of different methods. To translate this patient handling information so it is more relatable to staff, a comparison study of the force required to manually boost a simulated patient up in bed using an incontinence chuck, a draw sheet, an air assisted friction reducing device, a slide sheet friction reducing device and a ceiling lift was performed.
2025-016 University of California Ceiling Lift Standards, a White Paper
Rodrigo Bermudez, EMT, CHT, CEAS I, CHSP, Kristie Elton, MSPT, CPHRM, CHSP Director, Systemwide Healthcare Safety, UCOP , Stephanie Cain, PTA, CSPHA SPH Coordinator, UC Irvine Health , Liza Laurent, PTA, CEAS I SPH Program Manager, UCLA Health , Noura Khazal, BSPH, CEAS II SPH Coordinator, UC San Diego Health, Rosselle Tiumalu, SPH SPH Program Manager, UC San Francisco Health, Alton Smith SPH Supervisor, UC Davis Health and Larona Taylor, PTA SPH Coordinator, UCLA
The Hospital Patient and Health Care Worker Injury Protection Act (AB 1136) became effective in 2012 and was incorporated into the California Labor Code, Section 6403.5. The Cal/OSHA Standards Board adopted Title 8 CCR §5120 on June 19, 2014 and Health Care Worker Back and Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention became effective Oct. 1, 2014.
To ensure compliance with AB 1136 and Title 8 CCR §5120 and the health, safety, and well-being of our healthcare staff andpatients, the UC Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Programs have developed systemwide standards for the installation and use of ceiling lifts.
2025-017 We Learn Together! Each One... Teach One
LeGrecia Parker CHEM, CSPHA, CEAS, Pearl Paras MPH, RN, CNOR, CPHQ, CLSSBB, Regional Program Manager, Adult Patient Care Services, Amjad Ramahi, PhD CPE CSP, WPS Consulting Manager , Leslie Solorzano, MSN-Ed, RN, PHN, CCRN, NPD-BC, Regional Adult Services Clinical Practice Consultant, Michael J. Domingo, DNP, RN, CNOR, Regional Perioperative Practice Nurse Consultant and Marilynn Hernandez, LVN, CHEM, CEAS III, EH&S Safety Specialist III
Our multi-disciplinary group has leveraged several areas of expertise to establish a region-wide standardized approach to Safe Patient Handling Training. This has been successful because we have engaged Leadership, Nursing, inpatient, outpatient, ED, Patient Safety, Worker Safety, and Education to achieve optimal results while reviewing data to drive the program and improve performance. We have worked to connect the dots between SPH Training and fall reductions, accepted worker compensation claims, hospital acquired injury/harm, and length of stay, all while considering equity, inclusion & diversity (EID) centered design and increasing patient satisfaction.
2025-018 Role of AI in Timely Access to On-Demand Technology
Antonio Marin, Chief Information Officer and Jimbo Varnum, MBA, RRT-NPS-ACCS, Chief Clinical Officer, US Med-Equip
Healthcare innovators are continuously seeking ways to enhance cost-effective, efficient, and quality patient care. This is particularly crucial when planning care for plus-size patients who are unable to utilize standard-sized equipment due to their weight or weight distribution. Many innovators are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to expedite access for all patients, especially those with the most urgent needs.
AI is defined as a set of computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as reasoning, decision-making, or creativity. However, to date there is no single, simple definition of artificial intelligence because AI tools are capable of a wide range of tasks and outputs.
This project explores a system (GoUSMEConnect) that merges robotic process automation and machine learning with electronic faxing, aiming to facilitate quicker access to on-demand technology with the least amount of required nursing input (time) in a way that does not interrupt workflow.
2025-019 A "One Click" Journey to Consistent Therapeutic Support
Antonio Marin, Chief Information Officer and Jimbo Varnum, MBA, RRT-NPS-ACCS, Chief Clinical Officer, US Med-Equip
Computerized order entry continues to be well received; however, when incorrect data is hand-entered into the medical record discrepancies can occur.
On-demand medical equipment has historically required several steps in the data entry process before the intended medical equipment is ordered, delivered, and in use by the patient. Further, necessary adjunctive equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, commode or lift technology might be overlooked, not ordered, and delays in access can occur. This missed or delayed care may be a result of simple distractions or unnecessarily complex ordering processes.
Nurses and other healthcare professionals frequently indicate that they resent the amount of paperwork needed to be done each day. This project explored ways to close the gap on ordering, processing, analyzing, and helping healthcare professionals receive the equipment they need in a timely manner - with an eye to future improvements in care.
2025-020 Mobility Techs-Bridging the Gap between Nursing and Physical Therapy
Kelly Carr, LPTA
Mobility techs are trained patient care techs with the role of utilizing safe patient handling equipment to mobilize patients earlier and often. Mobility techs also provide real-time training to nursing staff on safe patient handling and mobility.
Mobility techs can bridge the gap between nursing and physical therapy. Early mobility is crucial for maximizing positive patient outcomes. Data outcomes support that MTs are advantageous to the acute care system in reducing patient length of stay and “home first” initiative.
2025-021 SPHM through a Rehabilitation Lens: Bringing Program Development in Non-Traditional Care Settings into Focus
Erin Zervas, MS, OTR/L and Samantha Hughes, MS, OTR/L, Clinical Specialist, NYU Langone Health
Effective program development is critical for ensuring the success of Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) initiatives across an institution. Most SPHM literature focuses on program standardization for acute care settings, however risk for musculoskeletal injury is not limited to these traditional care environments.1 It is imperative to design SPHM programming to fit the setting, as physical task demands and ergonomic risk barriers are unique and varied.2 This presentation highlights methods for identifying and seizing development opportunities to bolster established SPHM programs. We explore strategies for conducting comprehensive needs assessments, leveraging feedback from staff and patients, and integrating evidence-based best practices. By focusing on continuous evaluation and adaptation, organizations can ensure that their SPHM programs remain effective and responsive to evolving needs in all care environments.
At NYU Langone Health, a rehabilitation-driven SPHM department has developed a successful protocol that allows for the integration ofsafe patient handling strategies into specialized healthcare environments. The rehabilitation perspective on SPHM highlights expertise in analyzing environmental, personal, and activity demands, functional movement, patient-centered care, and ergonomic and biomechanical knowledge. The unique point of view of physical and occupational therapists has been shown to bolster SPHM programs3,4, and has allowed us to continue to expand our SPHM department beyond the typical constraints and support our multidisciplinary team members in a variety of ways.
The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) model provides a comprehensive framework that can be highly transferrable for developing and implementing SPHM protocols within a rehabilitation-driven SPHM department. The ICF model, was developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to conceptualize a person's health condition through the interaction between function and ability within contextual factors.5 For our purposes, we have adapted the framework to address the needs of specific populations of healthcare workers at risk for musculoskeletal injury.
The ICF framework distinguishes between "body functions and structures," "activities," and "participation." We assess patient and staff physical capabilities and analyze what body functions and structures are integral to their role. We explore how modifications to task demands impact their daily activities, provision of care, and overall participation in their roles as healthcare providers. The ICF model includes environmental factors such as physical barriers (e.g., tight spaces, inadequate equipment) and facilitators (e.g., supportive technologies, accessible layouts). We assess how these factors impact both patient mobility and staff handling practices. Through analyzing the interaction between these factors our goal is to establish effective, sustainable change.
A comprehensive SPHM process designed to enhance quality patient care and staff safety involves several key steps; each focused on evaluating needs, gathering insights, and implementing improvements. Throughout this presentation, we will provide a comprehensive roadmap detailing how to identify targeted settings, perform effective needs assessments and performance observations, analyze results with the ICF frame of reference, and ultimately develop and implement effective recommendations. This will be accomplished through a series of case examples in a variety of settings, such as Non-Invasive Cardiology, Peri-Operative Care, Radiology, Labor and Delivery, and Emergency Medical Services.
By incorporating the ICF model into the development of SPHM protocols, a rehabilitation-driven SPHM department can foster a culture of safety and collaboration and promote high standards of patient and staff safety. The ICF model's emphasis on functional capabilities, environmental factors, and the interaction between these elements supports the development of protocols that are personalized, adaptable, and effective in specialized healthcare environments. This provides a more holistic and effective approach, leading to better outcomes in patient handling and mobility.
2025-024 Utilization of Fall Prevention Technologies in Hospital Beds: How do Safety Lights Impact Fall Outcomes?
Stephanie Parkhill BSN, RN-BC, CPHQ and Johnalene Radek MSN, RN, NEA-BC, V
Fall prevention strategies are a top priority for hospitals. With the need to purchase new hospital beds, Carle Foundation Hospital chose to start with the standardization of new smart technology beds. Prior to receiving the new beds, all team members who had any interaction with beds were given education on setting the bed exit alert and the meaning behind the safety lights. The new beds include safety lights that illuminate on the floor to show if the bed exit is on, if the bed is in the lowest position, and if the siderails are up per protocol. The investment was made to replace all non-ICU beds so there was standardization and ease of use for all clinical and non-clinical care teams that travel between units. A study was done to evaluate the impact of the new beds with safety lights on falls and falls with injury within the non-ICU setting.