Critical AORN Guideline Updates to  Decrease Patient & Personnel Injuries

See What’s New in the Guideline for Safe Patient Handling & Movement (SPHM)

The OR is unique because perioperative team members are responsible for safe patient handling and mobility. Periop professionals also perform a variety of other high-risk ergonomic tasks. New recommendations include guidance on:

• Technology & Individualized Plans

• Moving Equipment & Supplies

• Fall Risk & Mobility Assessments

The updated guideline intends to help decrease musculoskeletal injuries during high-risk ergonomic tasks in the perioperative environment.

Additionally, by implementing the recommended safe patient transfer techniques and robust fall prevention programs, periop teams can reduce mobility-related patient injuries at their facilities.

New Recommendations

Guideline for Safe Patient Handling & Movement

UPDATED

Provide the number of team members and assistive devices needed to safely move, position, or prep patients.

EXPLANATION

• This is not new to guideline, but it is a guideline AORN relocated to SPHM with revised text.

NEW

Select patient lift equipment that minimizes the physical forces required to move the patient.

EXPLANATION

• Overhead-mounted lifts (e.g., ceiling lifts, boom lifts) require less force to use and lead to fewer work-related injuries. Researchers found that greater horizontal push/pull forces and torque were required when using floor-based lifts compared to overhead-mounted lifts.

• Permanently installed lift equipment could reduce the risk for some injuries related to patient handling tasks. (4.3.1)

NEW

Provide safe patient handling equipment in a location where it is readily available for use.

EXPLANATION

• Inaccessibility, delayed delivery of rented equipment, inconvenient storage, and lack of storage space for SPHM equipment are barriers to consistent use of the equipment. (3.2.3)

• Health care workers are more likely to use lift equipment and practice safe handling techniques when the needed safe patient handling equipment is readily available for use. (4.4)

• Storage requirements (e.g., floor space, fixed and mobile shelving) and the number of electrical outlets needed for patient handling equipment (e.g., lifts, slings, carts) should be factored in to the design of the space. (3.2.4)

NEW

Before patient transfer, secure all tubes, drains, and catheters to prevent accidental dislodgement.

EXPLANATION

• Accidental dislodgement of tubes, drains, and/or catheters can occur during patient transfer.

• The impact of accidental dislodgement can include increased cost and risk to patient safety.

• Potential patient safety issues related to dislodgement of tubes, drains, and catheters could include bleeding, air embolism, infection, delay in care, loss of airway, and pain. (5.4.2)

UPDATED WITH NEW SECTION

Include a preoperative assessment of the perioperative patient’s fall risk and mobility as part of the health care organization’s fall prevention program.

EXPLANATION

• A standardized mobility assessment tool evaluates a patient’s gait, visual or auditory impairment, and need for mobility assistance and provides baseline information for communication to the postoperative caregiver. (7.1.2, 7.6)

• Fall risk assessment tools and mobility assessment tools should be evidence-based, comprehensive, and validated for use specific to the patient population. (7.1.3)

• Implementing individualized fall precautions in addition to universal fall precautions based on the patient’s fall risk assessment helps maintain a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors. (7.3)

• Fall risk should be reassessed after the operative or other invasive procedure prior to patient ambulation. (7.7)

View Guideline Details

This updated guideline is available in AORN eGuidelines Plus: 

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  Case studies

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