Patient Lifting: The ‘No Lift’ Approach
Course Overview
The high rate of manual task-related injury suffered by healthcare professionals has given rise to the
No Lift approach to patient handling. As part of an integrated approach to manual handling, No Lift policies have been adopted with the aim of replacing manual lifting in all but exceptional cases with the use of equipment and the encouragement of the independent mobility of patients.
The No Lift approach is a risk-control measure designed to minimise manual task related injuries, and protect the health and well-being of healthcare professionals. Musculoskeletal disorders arising from such injuries can lead to a loss in the quality of life for sufferers. It is therefore everyone’s responsibility to eliminate any such risks through the adoption and implementation of this safer approach to patient handling.
This module has therefore been designed to increase the awareness and level of understanding by
healthcare professionals of the nature, scope, features and workplace implications of the No Lift
approach to patient handling, including reviews of techniques and guidelines for using related patient
handling equipment and devices.
Key Content
- The No Lift Approach:
- Nature and scope;
- Features;
- Benefits;
- Workplace policy & procedure implications;
- Patient Handling & Manual Tasks:
- Common injuries & musculoskeletal disorders;
- Risks and risk management;
- OHS Duty of Care obligations and responsibilities;
- The No Lift Risk Management approach:
- Identifying patient handling hazards;
- High risk patient handling techniques;
- Patient handling assessment;
- Implementation of patient handling plans;
- Safe usage of patient handling equipment and devices;
- Handling bariatric patients.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this course, learners should be able to:
- Describe manual tasks and their potential hazards and risks;
- Explain potential injuries arising from poor manual task procedures;
- Describe the objectives, nature and features of the No Lift approach;
- Explain the risk management approach adopted under No Lift policies;
- Identify Patient assessment approaches to determine manual handling needs;
- Explain and implement patient handling techniques endorsed by the No Lift approach;
- Explain and implement techniques and guidelines for using lifting equipment and other
devices.