Have you ever lifted a heavy patient and felt a pinch in your back? Maybe you’ve got a slight muscle strain.

Do you just keep on pushing ahead when that happens?

Proper lifting and patient-transfer techniques can help reduce the risk of injury. Even after training in proper methods, it’s easy to slip into bad habits over time. Anne Lorio, MSPT, of the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, works frequently with staff and family members to teach good patient movement mechanics.

“Always get a second person to stand by and be ready assist,” she said. “Check the patient’s chart and find out how much the patient can do to help.”

She recommends minimizing stress on your back by either sitting on a stool, half-kneeling or bending at the knees to perform the lift. “Lift with your legs, not your back,” Lorio said.

Also, if you’re using a mechanical lift, do some preparation. “Check to make sure the lift works properly and that there’s a clear path to where you’re going,” Lorio said.

Other techniques for minimizing injury include lowering the bed height to put the patient into a more convenient position.

Here are a few other tips for helping avoid injury while moving patients:

• Use good body mechanics.
• Stay fit and healthy; build your core body strength, particularly your trunk and abdomen.
• Involve the patient in the process if he is capable; review the chart in advance.
• Use mechanical lifting devices if necessary.

Another helpful hint is asking your department to offer periodic refresher training on proper lifting.

“If you have a slight injury or muscle strain, certainly either ask for assistance or talk with your supervisor about giving you a chance to heal,” Lorio said. “Go on light duty for a while. If you have a small injury, it can become chronic if you don’t take care
of it.”

Lorio also suggests that health professionals pay attention to how they stand and sit.

“When doing documentation, find a place so that you can sit up straight and have good posture. Avoid twisting your back or slumping over,” she said.

“Good posture can really help.”