(a) "Safe patient lifting" defined.- In this section, "safe patient lifting" means the use of mechanical lifting devices by hospital employees, instead of manual lifting, to lift, transfer, and reposition patients.
(b) Committees established by hospitals.- On or before December 1, 2007, each hospital shall establish a safe patient lifting committee with equal membership from management and employees.
(c) Policy.-
(1) On or before July 1, 2008, the safe patient lifting committee shall develop a safe patient lifting policy for the hospital.
(2) The goal of the policy shall be to reduce employee injuries associated with patient lifting.
(d) Considerations.- While developing a safe patient lifting policy, the committee shall consider, based on the patient population of that hospital, the appropriateness and effectiveness of:
(1) Developing or enhancing patient handling hazard assessment processes;
(2) Enhanced use of mechanical lifting devices;
(3) Developing specialized lift teams;
(4) Training programs for safe patient lifting required for all patient care personnel at the hospital;
(5) Incorporating physical space and construction design for mechanical lifting devices in any architectural plans for hospital construction or renovation; and
(6) Developing an evaluation process to determine the effectiveness of the policy.
(a) "Safe patient lifting" defined.- In this section, "safe patient lifting" means the use of mechanical lifting devices by hospital employees, instead of manual lifting, to lift, transfer, and reposition patients.
(b) Committees established by hospitals.- On or before December 1, 2007, each hospital shall establish a safe patient lifting committee with equal membership from management and employees.
(c) Policy.-
(1) On or before July 1, 2008, the safe patient lifting committee shall develop a safe patient lifting policy for the hospital.
(2) The goal of the policy shall be to reduce employee injuries associated with patient lifting.
(d) Considerations.- While developing a safe patient lifting policy, the committee shall consider, based on the patient population of that hospital, the appropriateness and effectiveness of:
(1) Developing or enhancing patient handling hazard assessment processes;
(2) Enhanced use of mechanical lifting devices;
(3) Developing specialized lift teams;
(4) Training programs for safe patient lifting required for all patient care personnel at the hospital;
(5) Incorporating physical space and construction design for mechanical lifting devices in any architectural plans for hospital construction or renovation; and
(6) Developing an evaluation process to determine the effectiveness of the policy.
(a) "Safe patient lifting" defined.- In this section, "safe patient lifting" means the use of mechanical lifting devices by hospital employees, instead of manual lifting, to lift, transfer, and reposition patients.
(b) Committees established by hospitals.- On or before December 1, 2007, each hospital shall establish a safe patient lifting committee with equal membership from management and employees.
(c) Policy.-
(1) On or before July 1, 2008, the safe patient lifting committee shall develop a safe patient lifting policy for the hospital.
(2) The goal of the policy shall be to reduce employee injuries associated with patient lifting.
(d) Considerations.- While developing a safe patient lifting policy, the committee shall consider, based on the patient population of that hospital, the appropriateness and effectiveness of:
(1) Developing or enhancing patient handling hazard assessment processes;
(2) Enhanced use of mechanical lifting devices;
(3) Developing specialized lift teams;
(4) Training programs for safe patient lifting required for all patient care personnel at the hospital;
(5) Incorporating physical space and construction design for mechanical lifting devices in any architectural plans for hospital construction or renovation; and
(6) Developing an evaluation process to determine the effectiveness of the policy.
