Transporting Patients – Hazards
- Forceful pushing or pulling
- Moving imaging equipment, gurneys, wheelchairs, or other transport devices over different floor surfaces or transitions.
- Can cause strains in the back, shoulders, and arms.
- Awkward lifting postures
- Assisting patients onto or off the exam table from transport devices.
- Heavy lifting in awkward postures increases risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
- Distance and surface challenges
- Transporting patients or equipment across long distances or uneven/slippery surfaces increases risk of slips, trips, and overexertion.
Potential Solutions
- Use mechanical aids or devices (e.g., motorized gurneys, slide sheets, patient lifts) whenever possible.
- Team lifting: Work with another staff member for heavier patients or equipment.
- Maintain clear, clutter-free pathways to reduce slips and trips.
- Train staff in safe patient handling techniques and proper body mechanics.
- Evaluate floor transitions and surface materials to reduce resistance when moving equipment or patients.