Case study 

Preventing injury when moving patients in an emergency

Whitby L.
Ergonomics Australia – HFESA 2011 Conference Edition, 2011 11:44.

Abstract

Background: Emergency events occur in all health and aged care facilities. While staff are often skilled in dealing with the clinical interventions necessary for the circumstances, the movement of the patient in such an event is often poorly managed. Aim: To address the issue of providing emergency care without compromising safety, three case studies that resulted in injury will be explored. Method: This study involved review of published material addressing patient handling in emergencies and analysis of three case studies, each resulting in injuries to staff and patients. The case studies are sourced from matters that led to litigation in which the author was involved, and each is now resolved. Each case study will provide background to the circumstances, specifically the scene, staffing, what occurred, how the patient was moved, the patient outcome and the injuries that resulted from the handling situation. The analysis will then identify the key system failures relevant to the specific case. Results: As well as highlighting specific problems in handling the patient in each of the case studies, the study was able to show a pattern of system failures that led to each injury. Fundamental to each of the cases was poor communication and poor leadership. Also evident was ineffective work practices, inadequate training and failure to use equipment readily available in the facility. Conclusions: As emergencies do and will occur in healthcare facilities, injuries to staff and patients will continue unless there are clear protocols developed to address how the patient should be moved. These protocols must be developed against a backdrop of leadership, communication, clinical considerations and best practice patient handling with appropriate equipment.

[Return to Journal page]