Safe Patient Handling Solutions Presented at Conference

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas Nurses Association announced that Patient Safety Center of Inquiry and Ergonomics Research Laboratory director Audrey Nelson, PhD, RN, FAAN, will be a featured speaker at its esteemed fifth Annual Nursing Leadership Conference in Austin on September 15. A widely renowned and respected researcher on patient care ergonomics and safe handling and movement practices for nurses, Nelson is also associate chief, Nursing Service for Research, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital of Tampa, Fla.

Patient transfers, lifting and handling are physically demanding and present clear risk for both the patient and the nurse. The risks are not only damaging to the health of nurses and patients, but also are costly in workers compensation insurance, lost time, and personnel turnover costs for a nursing industry still experiencing a widespread shortage and intent on retaining at the bedside its mature and experienced workforce. U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics reveal that nursing ranks as one of the top ten occupations for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. An estimated 12 percent to 18 percent of nurses leave the profession due to chronic back pain.

As the first state to pass legislation requiring hospitals and nursing homes to implement safe patient handling and movement policies, Texas is also the only state to have had its legislation -- SB 1525 -- signed into law. That law, which takes effect January 1, 2006, requires hospitals and nursing homes to adopt policies and procedures for the safe handling of patients that "control the risk of injury to patients and nurses associated with the lifting, transferring, repositioning, or movement of a patient." A major 2005 legislative effort of Texas Nurses Association, the bill was achieved in partnership with hospitals and nursing homes, and promises to improve the safety from physical injuries of both nurses and patients.

About the Annual Nursing Leadership Conference
The Annual Nursing Leadership Conference of Texas Nurses Association draws attendance from across the state as well as nationally. It offers nursing leaders access to industry insight and information that can help them competently solve problems and make a difference in the future direction of nursing. This year, the conference focuses on evidence-based practice and knowledge.

About Texas Nurses Association
The Texas Nurses Association is a professional organization of registered nurses, and the only affiliate of the American Nurses Association. Texas Nurses Association seeks to promote excellence in nursing by helping nurses achieve quality patient care through high standards of practice, legislative involvement, and public policy advocacy.

Source: Texas Nurses Association

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