Final answer:
Lifting or transferring patients can cause back injury if done improperly. Proper lifting techniques involve keeping the back straight and using the legs, which is safer and much less risky for the spine. It is best to lift only when working in a team to distribute the load and reduce injury risk.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lifting or transferring patients is a risk for back injury; learn proper techniques and lift only when part of a team. It's well-known that lifting objects improperly can lead to muscle strain and damage to the discs and vertebrae. The force exerted on the back muscles and the spine when lifting incorrectly is abnormally large — about 5.6 times greater than when a person is standing erect. The spine is relatively weaker compared to other structures such as the hips, knees, and ankles, which can withstand similar forces more effectively. Proper lifting techniques involve keeping the back erect and utilizing leg muscles to lift the body and load, significantly reducing the forces acting on the back.
In summary, to lift patients safely and minimize the risk of back injury for healthcare workers, it's critical to use proper lifting techniques and to perform lifting tasks as part of a team whenever possible. Using good mechanics when lifting, such as bending the knees and keeping the spine aligned, can prevent excessive forces from being placed on the back.