Implementation of a Fitness Education and Training Program to Support Safe Patient Handling and Safe Lifting

Implementation of a Fitness Education and Training Program to Support Safe Patient Handling and Safe Lifting

Implementation of a Fitness Education and Training Program to Support Safe Patient Handling and Safe Lifting in a Community Based Hospital (The Fit for Work Project)

This project involves the delivery of education and training sessions to Seven Oaks General Hospital (SOGH) staff, with the goal of workplace injury prevention. Education will include review of provincial safe patient handling and back injury prevention guidelines and review of core fitness competencies required to comply with injury prevention standards. Training sessions will include exercises to improve core, gluteal and quadricep strength, hip/knee mobility and hamstring flexibility. Training will also be an opportunity to provide feedback on functional movement performance. Outcomes will include questionnaires on: low back pain/dysfunction; movement confidence; work injury rates and participant satisfaction with program. The project will advise stakeholders of the benefits and challenges associated with implementation of a fitness program to support safe patient handling techniques, as outlined in the provincial guidelines for healthcare workers.

The Fit for Work Project is an educational and training program outcome evaluation. It is a two-part education and practical program designed to evaluate the effects of training on movement confidence, low back dysfunction and changes in rates of lower back injury. In the first part, participants will attend the education session developed by physiotherapists who specialize in return to work programs. In the second part participants will participate in a 4-week practical program, where they will stretch, lengthen and strengthen key muscles used in squatting, weight shifting and the hip hinge movement. Feedback and movement coaching are an important element in performing and mastering these movements correctly and this workplace wellness training program will provide staff the support needed.

A two-part education and practical program designed to evaluate the effects of training on movement confidence, low back dysfunction and changes in rates of lower back injury. SPSS software will be used to analyze mean differences between self-report questionnaire scores regarding low back pain/dysfunction at baseline and post-program using paired t-tests (p<0.05). Paired t-tests will be used to determine if there is a statistical difference in back injury rates at Seven Oaks Hospital one year post-program, compared to previous years. The results of the post-program survey will be summarized using descriptive statistics. Information from baseline movement confidence questionnaires will also be summarized using descriptive statistics and compared pre and post programming. *Note: Before t-test analyses is performed the distribution of scores will be checked to determine if they are normal. If not, non-parametric tests equivalent to paired t-tests will be used.

Participants will be recruited from the Seven Oak General Hospital staff population and will complete a two-part education and practical program.

Education and practical training program designed to evaluate the effects of training on movement confidence, low back dysfunction and changes in rates of lower back injury

Change from baseline in staff confidence in performing the core fitness competencies required to abide by safe patient handling, safe lifting and back injury prevention guidelines

A Movement Confidence Questionnaire will be used, asking participants to rate their confidence as either 1-Very Low, 2-Low, 3-Moderate, 4-High, 5-Very High in completing 10 different movements without difficulty: Get down to and back up from the floor without using support Walk continuously for 1 hour Balance on 1 foot for 30 seconds Bend over to clean the bath tub Move the fridge to clean behind it Lift a 24 pack of water bottles off the floor Place carry-on luggage in overhead bin on airplane Lift a heavy suitcase in and out of the trunk of a car. Carry 2 heavy bags of groceries 100 ft or 30 m Shovel snow from a 1 car driveway.

At the beginning of the program (baseline), at week 4 (the end of the 4-week training program), and one year after completion of the training program

Measured as change from baseline in the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (Designed to evaluate functional limitations related to pain, to monitor the progress of individual patients and to compare the evolution of lower back pain (LBP) subjects incorporated in rehabilitation programs)

At the beginning of the program (baseline), at week 4 (the end of the 4-week training program), and one year after completion of the training program

Measured as change from baseline in the Oswestry Disability Index, also known as the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire. (A self-reported measurement tool that measures both pain and functional status. It is used for evaluating disability caused by lower backache).

At the beginning of the program (baseline), at week 4 (the end of the 4-week training program), and one year after completion of the training program

Measured as change in the number of new low back injuries or flare-ups of existing back conditions sustained in the past year.

At the beginning of the program (baseline), and 1 year after completion of the 4-week training program

Measured as the number of new low back injuries or flare-ups of existing back conditions sustained at work in the past year.

At the beginning of the program (baseline), and 1 year after completion of the 4-week training program

At the beginning of the program (baseline), and 1 year after completion of the 4-week training program

Benefits and challenges associated with implementation of a fitness program to support safe patient handling and safe lifting techniques, as outlined in the provincial and regional guidelines for healthcare workers

A "Program Exit Questionnaire" will be administered to collect participant experiences and views on the benefits and challenges associated with the program.

Inclusion Criteria: Male or female, age 18 years or older Staff of Seven Oaks General Hospital during the time of the program Able to communicate in English and provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: An acute injury, a medical condition, or other personal reason inhibiting participation in all 4 weeks of exercise training sessions