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Safe Patient Handling Workgroup Report Posted on DOH Site

New York State’s Safe Patient Handling Law was enacted as part of the 2014-15 State Budget. The law recognizes that lifting patients often can cause injury to both patients and health care workers and that safe patient handling programs can reduce the risk of injury, protect patient dignity, improve quality of care, increase consumer satisfaction and enhance caregiver morale. The law also recognizes that there is no single approach to safe patient handling and programs will differ based on patient needs, facility characteristics, equipment and other factors.

 

The law requires the Commissioner of Health to establish a workgroup of stakeholders for the purpose of identifying Safe Patient Handling (SPH) Program best practices, sample policies, and other resources, which would inform the Commissioner’s dissemination of best practices to health care facilities. Health care facilities are required to establish SPH Committees by Jan. 1, 2016, which in turn will establish facility-specific SPH Programs by Jan. 1, 2017. The law further provides that the Department of Financial Services shall make rules establishing requirements for health care facilities to obtain a reduced workers’ compensation rate for such programs.

 

The Safe Patient Handling Workgroup Report is now available on the Department of Health’s website. The report was developed by the Workgroup for the purpose of identifying Safe Patient Handling Program best practices, sample policies and other materials. 

 

On Feb. 24, 2016 from 10:30-11:30 am, LeadingAge NY will provide an educational session entitled "Organizational Compliance with the Safe Patient Handling Act", featuring Mark Constantino, OTR/L, director of rehabilitation, The Heritage Ministries, Jamestown, NY.  Mr. Constantino was a participant in the DOH Safe Handling Workgroup.  For additional information and registration click here.

 

Contact: Elliott Frost, efrost@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8832