Special Feature: Safe Patient Handling & Mobility Programs and Policies: Short Term vs Long Term Evaluation

An extensive body of published literature exists demonstrating the benefits of safe patient handling and mobility (SPHM) programs, including a reduction in the incidence of patient handling-related injuries,1 a lowering of workers’ compensation costs,2 a reduction in the number of lost work days due to injury,3 an increase in job satisfaction,4 and an increase patient satisfaction.5 For the most part, these evaluations assess the effects at the program level, where the unit of analysis is either a healthcare facility or a healthcare system. No comprehensive evaluation of the influence of a statewide SPHM policy has been completed.

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