Question

During review of back injuries, it is determined that a large number of injuries are occurring in spite of mechanical lifts being used. Furthermore, it is determined that some lifts are outdated. In addressing this concern, the unit manager:

1) Meets individually with nurses who are observed to be using the lifts incorrectly to review the correct procedure.
2) After consultation with the staff about the review, orders new lifts to replace older ones that are malfunctioning.
3) Blames the system for inadequate funding for resources.
4) Reviews the system of reporting incidents to ensure that appropriate reporting is occurring.

Answer 1

The unit manager can address the issue of back injuries despite the use of mechanical lifts by meeting with nurses to review proper usage, ordering new lifts to replace malfunctioning ones, addressing systemic funding issues, and reviewing the incident reporting system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The unit manager is dealing with a situation where back injuries are occurring despite the use of mechanical lifts and some of these lifts are outdated. To address this issue, several actions could be considered:

1. Meeting individually with nurses who are observed to be using the lifts incorrectly to review the correct procedure.
2. After consulting with staff regarding the injuries and lift malfunctions, ordering new lifts might be considered to replace the older ones that are not functioning properly.
3. Assessing and potentially blaming the system for inadequate funding for resources, which might be a systemic issue affecting the quality and safety of the equipment.
4. Reviewing the incident reporting system to ensure that all injuries are being reported correctly and that the data can be used to prevent future injuries.

From a health management perspective, it is crucial to maintain properly functioning equipment and ensure that staff are trained effectively to use it. This circumstance requires a multifaceted approach that includes equipment assessment, staff training, and process review to enhance the overall safety of the healthcare environment.