A Systematic Review of Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Programs to Improve Patient Outcomes in Rehabilitation

Occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) experience high rates of musculoskeletal injury due to moving and handling patients, however, widespread adoption of safe patient handling and mobility (SPHM) is lacking in rehabilitation. Researchers suggest that SPHM adoption is impeded by the belief that it encourages patient passivity and may negatively affect patient recovery. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the current literature for the effects of SPHM programs on patient rehabilitation outcomes. Randomized or observational, peer-reviewed studies in English that had an SPHM intervention were included in the systematic review. Using international agreed-upon systematic review methods, 6 studies remained for the final analysis, but no high level and few acceptable level studies addressed the question. Based on level 3 evidence, the researchers concluded that rehabilitation with SPHM programs may lead to a reduction in pressure ulcers, at least equal functional independence measure (FIM) mobility scores at discharge, and an equal chance of reaching independence or modified independence in self-care at discharge as compared to those that did not. The authors conclude that more well-designed, high level studies are required.

Harwood KJ, Scalzitti DA, Campo M, Darragh AR

Keywords: physical therapy, occupational therapy, safe patient  handling and mobility, patient outcomes, systematic review