Purpose:

(1) To implement a program of Safe Patient Handling and Movement for nurses. (2) To ensure application of principles of Safe Patient Handling and Movement throughout the patient care setting.

Significance:

Nurses are in the top 3 occupations of on-the-job injury in the USA. Decreasing nurse injuries will ensure a decrease in loss of experienced nurses to the profession and institution.

Design/Background/Rationale:

Change project to decrease injuries both by reengineering patient care areas and by changing culture related to patient handling and movement.

Methods/Description:

Process improvement project collected data, solicited administrative support, implemented and evaluated pilot project, used as justification for expansion, and provided cost-savings data.

Findings/Outcomes:

Implementation of the project over the last 5 years has resulted in an estimated $2.4 million savings in both direct and indirect worker costs, increased staff satisfaction, and improved recruitment and retention of nurses.

Conclusions:

A Safe Patient Handling and Movement Program can be successfully implemented by the CNS, can benefit the institution and individual nurses, and can positively impact patient care.