Patient Handling

Provides learners with the skills, knowledge and training to utilise correct patient handling techniques in the workplace.

About Course

“The Health and Social Work Sector accounts for nearly 20% of all workplace injuries reported to the HSA each year.” “Reported incidents indicate three main accident triggers in the healthcare sector: of which manual handling (patient handling and handling of inanimate loads) is the top reported injury”. (www.HSA.ie)

This course has been designed to ensure students are sufficiently trained and able to apply the principles and practices of safe manual handling and people handling in the workplace. It addresses the current health and safety legislation in Ireland and outlines the responsibilities of the employer and the employee under the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 are examined with particular emphasis on the legislation specific to manual handling in the workplace. Completion of this course will assist employees in maintaining good health and will help to reduce the risk of manual handling related injuries to both patients and staff in the workplace. Employees will have the ability to work in a confident and safe manner which will contribute to a safer work environment.

Who is this training course intended for?

The course is suitable for employees of all levels whose job involves the moving and handling and Supporting People in the workplace, including all healthcare, social care, community workers and teachers.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course participants will be able to:

 

  • Identify the relevant manual handling legislation in Ireland
  • Explain the anatomy of the spinal column
  • Recognise how incorrect manual handling technique can lead to injury
  • Outline the benefits of fitness and flexibility in the workplace
  • Describe the role of ergonomics and risk assessment in manual handling
  • State the 8 principles of safe manual handling
  • Risk assessment
  • Principles of safer moving and handling

Course Content

Unit 1: Manual Handling Legislation
  • Reasons to Manage Manual Handling
  • Definition of Manual Handling
  • General Duties of the Employer
  • Duties of the Employee
  • Duties of the Employer in relation to Manual Handling
Unit 2: The Musculoskeletal System
  • Structure and functions of the spine
  • The Vertebrae
  • Spinal discs
  • The spinal cord
  • Ligaments and tendons
  • Muscles in movement
  • Joints of the spine
  • The process of movement
Unit 3: Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • Neck and upper limb disorders
  • Lower limb disorders
  • Disorders of the back
  • Risk factors for manual handling
Unit 4: Fitness and Flexibility
  • Fitness and flexibility
  • Benefits of stretching
  • Good posture
  • Healthy Lifestyle
Unit 5: Ergonomics and Risk Assessment
  • What is Ergonomics?
  • Benefits of good workplace ergonomics
  • Manual handling risk assessment
Unit 6: Safe Handling Techniques
  • The 8 principles of manual handling
  • Lifting from the floor (theory)
  • Lifting to waist height (theory)
  • Lifting to a height (theory)
  • Pushing and pulling (theory)
  • Team lift (theory)
UNIT 7: Practical Manual and Patient Handling

This Unit is carried out in the classroom and demonstrates how the principles of manual handling can be put into practice to include:

  • Carrying
  • Pushing and pulling
  • Lifting from low levels
  • Lowering from a height
  • Team lifting principles
  • Patient Handling moves:
  • Sitting up, turning, standing, walking and sitting
  • Dealing with a falling and fallen patient
  • Use of hoist
  • Use of enablers such as banana boards & turntables

Course Delivery Method

Our Patient handling training course is a full day course covering the theory and practice of safe patient handling. It comprises of two parts, in the morning we cover Manual Handling of inanimate objects, followed by part two which covers people handling theory and techniques. 

On completion of the course students are required to complete an end of course Quiz.

Participants are also required to complete assessment of both practical manual handling and patient techniques.

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