Injuries and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common in nurses and are often caused by manually lifting
and moving patients. This is more than just an inconvenience; these injuries are often life altering and career ending. The American Nurses Association (ANA) works to prevent injuries and protect nurses and other healthcare workers through Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) programs and advocacy.
Official Position
In order to establish a safe environment for nurses and patients, ANA supports actions and policies that result in the elimination of manual patient handling.
National Interdisciplinary SPHM Standards – Coming Soon!
ANA, in collaboration with a national working group, developed national interdisciplinary SPHM standards to help hospitals and other health care employers develop safe, effective, and enduring programs. The standards are applicable across the care continuum.
The standards will be released June 26. To place a pre-order, go to nursesbooks.org or contact Cynthia.Lee@ana.org. Bulk discounts are available. View Promotional Video
Read media coverage on the initiative to develop standards to serve as a foundation for safe patient handling and mobility policy, practices, regulations and law: Advance for Long-Term Care Management | Hospital Employee Health.
Advocacy
Several states have passed legislation or regulations about Safe Patient Handling. ANA is committed to advocacy that prevents injuries and protects nurse wellbeing. ANA has prepared a legislative agenda report on safe patient handling and a summary of enacted state legislation.