The Challenge of Change: Why are Staff Resistant to Using Safe Patient Handling Equipment?

One of the biggest challenges faced by organizations when seeking to implement a safe patient handling and movement program is in changing the practice and thought processes of clinical staff from the belief that manually lifting is a safe way to move and handle patients to the acceptance that the utilization of lifting and repositioning equipment is beneficial to both themselves and their patients. This article examines the reasons why some staff may be resistant to such a change, and presents strategies that can be used to help them make this paradigm shift.

Monaghan HM

Keywords: patient handling, resistance, change management