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Select Committee > Select Committee Initiatives > Wisconsin Safe-Lifting Initiative (SLI) Demonstration Program

Wisconsin Safe-Lifting Initiative (SLI) Demonstration Program


Introduction

The Safe-Lifting Initiative (SLI) Demonstration Grant Program was funded by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD). This demonstration grant program was one of Governor Doyle's GROW Wisconsin initiatives and has been developed with the guidance of the Select Committee on Health Care Workforce Development.

Wisconsin’s Safe-Lifting Initiative Demonstration program was developed to assist the training of health care staff in the use of new transfer equipment. This equipment is designed to assist caregiver staff in the safe movement of individuals unable to partially or wholly assist in their own transfer from bed to wheelchair, walker, bathroom or other locations associated with their care.

A major change has taken place in the health care industry. No longer is use of manual lifting techniques in the transfer of hospital patients, nursing home residents, or home health clients considered to be the best way to prevent lifting-related injuries to health care staff.

Instead, safe or no lift transfer programs designed to meet the needs of patients, residents, or clients are becoming more prevalent. This new direction in health care takes into account the administration, environmental, and behavioral aspects that affect the safe transfer of individuals by health care staff while reducing painful back injuries.

  • Of thirty-one applications received, 18 have been awarded grants for a total funding amount of $325,000.
  • Grants agreements have been made through Wisconsin’s Workforce DevelopmentBoards to 20 health care providers such as hospitals, nursing homes, community-based residential facilities, and home care agencies to assist in the training of direct care staff in the use of safe-lifting equipment.
  • The grant period runs from July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007.

The United States’ Veterans Administration and numerous health care providers across the nation and world have determined that the use of no-lift technology is the best way to reduce back injuries among health care workers while assuring that patients are safely moved, transferred, and repositioned.

Reasons why safe-lift programs are important include:

  • Six of the top ten occupations at highest risk for back injuries are in health care according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
  • A 2001 American Nurses Association survey revealed that 60% of nurses fear developing a back injury.
  • Back injuries are most likely to occur when the caregiver is moving a patient/resident/client.
  • Back injuries can result in loss of time at work, limitations and restrictions on work, increased workers’ compensation cost and is often the reason workers leave the health care industry.
  • Worker’s compensation cases for back injury are a significant problem and insurers are encouraging health care providers to evaluate lifting policies and practices.
  • Concerns about the potential of back injuries may also dissuade others from entering a health care profession.
  • Lifting injuries must be addressed if the industry expects to continue to recruit and retain health care professionals.
  • All of these issues, if not addressed, can ultimately lead to higher health care costs for everyone.

Purpose 

SLI demonstration grants assisted health care providers that invested in new safe-lifting equipment by supporting the preliminary, continuing and/or refresher training and education needed by incumbent direct care health care workers on proper use of new safe-lifting equipment.

  • A no-lift or safe-lift environment means that health care workers do not lift, shift, or transfer patients/consumers without the use of proper equipment.
  • Safe-lifting equipment is designed to reduce or eliminate the risk for injury of the health care worker or patient/resident /client during their movement, transfer, and repositioning. The result is a safer environment for both.

The types of assistive equipment devices used to perform these functions that are recognized as being appropriate for training for the purposes of this demonstration grant program are:

  • Powered full-body sling lifts.
  • Bed improvements to facilitate transfer or repositioning.
  • Powered stand-assist and repositioning lifts.
  • Mechanical lateral transfer aids.
  • Friction-reducing lateral devices.
  • Gait/transfer belts with handles.
  • Any other equipment or device deemed necessary to assist lifting.

Other Safe-Lift Initiative Activities

Besides direct support for training efforts described above, the program is:

  • Identifying and providing up-to-date information on safe-lifting best practices and other developments in the field through its web-pages,training opportunities, and conferences.
  • Consulting with an advisory group comprised of the 18 grantees which will share information with one another and provide suggestions to DWD on the on-going management of the program.
  • Networking with other organizations interested in this issue.
  • Involved in planning safe-lift conferences for the spring of 2007.
  • Developing an evaluation.
  • Seeking funding to continue the program.

July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007 Grant

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