Using the Haddon Matrix to Identify Patient Handling Problems

Injury epidemiology aims to identify problems and risk factors and to develop preventative interventions. Within a mixed methods study, injury descriptions were examined using the framework of the Haddon Matrix. Qualitative content analysis examined event data, identifying patients with constraints as the primary agent of injury and work expectations as the main environmental hazard. The safety climate of the workplace was identified as an area to address when devising preventative interventions, specifically the involvement of the manager as the unit leader. A benefit of the study is that it identified risk factors in the injury-event phase. The article demonstrates a way to investigate injuries prior to planning safe patient handling interventions.

Adams J

Keywords: injury epidemiology, Haddon Matrix, safe patient handling, risk analysis