Posts Tagged ‘healthcare’

Franklin, MA – March 17, 2009 – The pro bono healthcare injury prevention website Safe Lifting Portal (http://www.safeliftingportal.com/), has announced that its newly instituted Safe Lifting Leadership Award has been presented to Gundersen Lutheran Health System of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The award was given in recognition of Gundersen Lutheran’s outstanding accomplishments in safe patient handling, safe lifting, and caregiver injury prevention. A DVD describing the hospital’s accomplishments can be ordered from http://www.safeliftingportal.com/gundersen-lutheran/

Gundersen Lutheran Health System includes a 325-bed teaching hospital and a Level II Trauma Center. As one of the leading medical facilities in the mid-west, the health system has received eleven top 100 designations in as many years. It serves patients throughout western Wisconsin, northeastern Iowa, and southeastern Minnesota, providing care in 19 counties.

In 2003, Gundersen Lutheran Health System initiated a patient and staff injury prevention program. Key components of the program included installation of ceiling lifts to transfer patients, an extensive staff orientation and training program, and on-going monitoring of usage compliance. The ceiling lifts were installed in units hospital-wide, including intensive care, coronary care, rehabilitation and PT, pediatrics, morgue, diagnostic areas, and the OB/GYN water birth room.

Among the more significant results of the program have been substantial decreases in injury rates, reduced workers’ compensation costs, and less employee lost time and restricted time. The program has also increased staff retention rates and proved to be an excellent staff recruitment tool.

Emphasizing Gundersen Lutheran’s firm commitment to patient and employee safety, Gary Brunslik, Manager of Safety, commented, “Preventing staff injury is good business from the financial standpoint, but also, it is the right thing to do.” Kathy Weitekamp, RN, BSN, Care Manager, went on to say, “We’ve been able to show a 57% decrease in the number of patient handling claims, which we feel is pretty significant. Lost time has gone down 78% and restricted time has gone down 81%, so we’re very pleased. Our ceiling lift return on investment has been less than three years.” Dr. William Scorby, Medical Director for Employee Health, added, “We also see the safe lifting program as playing an important role in staff retention and recruiting – keeping our experienced nurses safe and injury free while attracting new nurses trained in safe lifting techniques to Gundersen Lutheran.”

The objective of the Safe Lifting Leadership Award is to encourage other institutions to follow the lead of “best practices” institutions in their attempts to instill permanent, sustainable culture change – a so-called “culture of safety” – within their organizations. Patient safety, advocacy for healthcare excellence, successful implementation of safe lifting initiatives, and willingness to share results and assist other institutions are among key evaluation criteria for the award.

For more information on the Safe Lifting Leadership Award or Liko’s sponsorship of the Safe Lifting Portal, contact Liko – A Hill-Rom Company, 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038; telephone (888) 545-6671 or (508) 553-3993; fax (508) 528-6642; visit the Liko website at http://www.liko.com/, or visit http://www.safeliftingportal.com/.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc., http://www.tizinc.com/

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Technorati tags: Liko, Safe Lifting, patient safety, hospital, healthcare, nurse, caregiver, injury prevention, risk manager, safety officer, safety official risk management

Franklin, Mass. – August 20, 2008 –The pro bono healthcare injury prevention website, Safe Lifting Portal (http://www.safeliftingportal.com/),announced that its newly instituted Safe Lifting Leadership Award has been presented to Gundersen Lutheran Health System of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The award was given in recognition of Gundersen Lutheran’s outstanding accomplishments in safe patient handling, safe lifting, and caregiver injury prevention.

Gundersen Lutheran Health System includes a 325-bed teaching hospital and a Level II Trauma Center. As one of the leading medical facilities in the mid-west, the health system has received eleven top 100 designations. It serves patients throughout western Wisconsin, northeastern Iowa, and southeastern Minnesota, providing care in 19 counties.

In 2003, Gundersen Lutheran Health System initiated a patient and staff injury prevention program. Key components of the program included installation of ceiling lifts to transfer patients, an extensive staff orientation and training program, and on-going monitoring of usage compliance. The ceiling lifts were installed in units hospital-wide, including intensive care, coronary care, rehabilitation and PT, pediatrics, morgue, diagnostic areas, and the OB/GYN water birth room.

Among the more significant results of the program have been substantial decreases in injury rates, reduced workers’ compensation costs, and less employee lost time and restricted time. The program has also increased staff retention rates and proved to be an excellent staff recruitment tool.

Emphasizing Gundersen Lutheran’s firm commitment to patient and employee safety, Gary Brunslik, Manager of Safety, commented, “Preventing staff injury is good business from the financial standpoint, but also, it is the right thing to do.” Kathy Weitekamp, RN, BSN, Care Manager, went on to say, “We’ve been able to show a 57% decrease in the number of patient handling claims, which we feel is pretty significant. Lost time has gone down 78% and restricted time has gone down 81%, so we’re very pleased. Our ceiling lift return on investment has been less than three years.” Dr. William Scorby, Medical Director for Employee Health, added, “We also see the safe lifting program as playing an important role in staff retention and recruiting – keeping our experienced nurses safe and injury free while attracting new nurses trained in safe lifting techniques to Gundersen Lutheran.”

The objective of the Safe Lifting Leadership Award is to encourage other institutions to follow the lead of “best practices” institutions in their attempts to instill permanent, sustainable culture change – a so-called “culture of safety” – within their organizations. Patient safety, advocacy for healthcare excellence, successful implementation of safe lifting initiatives, and willingness to share results and assist other institutions are among key evaluation criteria for the award.

For more information on the Safe Lifting Leadership Award or Liko’s sponsorship of the Safe Lifting Portal, contact Liko, 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038; telephone (888) 545-6671 or (508) 553-3993; fax (508) 528-6642; visit http://www.liko.com/, or http://www.safeliftingportal.com/

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc., http://www.tizinc.com/

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Technorati tags: Liko, Safe Lifting, patient safety, hospital, healthcare, nurse, caregiver, injury prevention, risk manager, safety officer, safety official risk management

Franklin, MA – August 12, 2008 — Liko North America, a major supplier of patient lifts, repositioning aids and clinical educational services for the healthcare industry, has added intelligent self diagnostics to its Viking family of multi-purpose mobile floor lifts. The new Viking M (www.liko.com/na/viking_m.asp) incorporates numerous intelligence features designed to help customers better manage their Safe Lifting initiatives. Among these features is a smart diagnostics system that enables customers to manage service and more easily evaluate their lifting practices. In turn, this encourages more efficient use of each individual lift.

Intelligence – The Operations Console of the new Viking M houses the Liko Diagnostic System™, a pioneering new advancement in intelligence for patient lifts. The system helps customers manage their safe lifting initiatives and determine unit needs by tracking lift usage frequency. It also identifies workload for patients of size. In addition to managing on the nursing unit, the new Viking M comes equipped to provide additional key servicing information, including a Service LED that can be calendar- or usage-based. By identifying service issues before they happen, users can generate, for example, reports such as those required by Joint Commission standards. According to Gunnar Liljedahl, president and chief design engineer at Liko, “The intelligent control unit, which includes our own Liko Diagnostic System, allows the customer to see just how the lift has been used. In turn, this knowledge can be used to establish procedures that maximize the use of the lift, thereby providing the best total economy.”

Functionality – With the Viking M’s new ergonomically designed wireless Hand Control, the task of helping patients becomes easier and more convenient. For example, the wireless hand control means there are no more cumbersome cords to detangle, thus the caregiver can now work unhindered and in closer proximity to the patient. All new Viking Ms within a facility will be able to use the same hand control, and in the unlikely event a wireless hand control is not immediately available, the lift can be run directly from the operations panel on the control box. A powerful new NiMH battery pack lowers the lift’s overall weight even more and has a SmartCharge indicator that provides a continuous view of charging status. Finally, wireless control encourages caregivers to use the lift more frequently and gives patients a greater sense of security.

Safety – A handy on-board two-language Quick Reference Guide helps lower the chances of operator errors; an Outer Tube on the actuator helps ensure trouble-free operation; and a new wheel design avoids collecting dirt or other foreign matter in order to ensure caregivers low push, pull and rotational stressors.

Lightweight and Environmentally Friendly — All of the components of the Viking lift frame are constructed of strong, aircraft-grade aluminum, up to 40% of which is from recycled aluminum products. This means the Vikings are much lighter than steel frame lifts of corresponding size and patient lifting capacities, plus they are safer for the environment.

For more information on the new Viking M, write to Liko at 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038, e-mail info@liko.com, call 1-888-545-6671, or visit www.liko.com/na/viking_m.asp.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc.

Technorati tags: Liko, Safe Lifting, patient safety, hospital, healthcare, nurse, caregiver, injury prevention, risk manager, safety officer, safety official risk management

Franklin, Mass. – August 6, 2008 – A new, free white paper details how a Michigan hospital improved patient care – and reduced manual lifting injuries – by testing new products and designs utilizing a mock-up patient room in an effort to implement forward-looking patient handling technologies.

The white paper, titled “Michigan Hospital Leads the Way with Patient-Focused Environments and Leading-Edge Patient Lifting Technologies,” is available for free download at: www.safeliftingportal.com/hospital-patient-lifting.

The white paper details how the advanced planning, product research and equipment testing at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) in Ann Arbor, Michigan have resulted in a facility-wide success story and increased patient quality of care by decreasing lifting injuries through out the hospital.

“What really aided in the success of this project is the complete mock-up patient room that was built on-site to run tests and functional simulations,” said Tom Tocco, director of facilities and plant operations at SJMH. “That enabled us to select the best systems and products for our patients. Now, we have taken the tried-and-true mock-up room and re-created it 356 times in the new tower.”

The new state-of-the-art tower includes facility-wide wireless internet access and inter-hospital overhead rail systems which has greatly decreased patient lifting injuries and significantly reduced worker’s compensation claims. – Do we have proof?

Download the white paper at: www.safeliftingportal.com/hospital-patient-lifting or call toll-free 1 888-545-6671 to request a copy. The paper is authored by Liko North America (www.liko.com/na), sponsor of the Safe Lifting Portal injury prevention site (www.safeliftingportal.com).

About Liko North America
Liko North America is one of the world’s leading suppliers of patient lifts, including mobile, overhead rail, sit-to-stand, and bariatric lifts, as well as a selection of more than 250 slings and accessories. The company is also the exclusive sponsor of the pro bono “Safe Lifting Environment” campaign designed to help prevent caregiver injuries (visit www.safeliftingportal.com for more details). For more information on Liko’s complete line of patient lifts, contact Liko North America, 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038. Telephone (888) 545-6671 or (508) 553-3993; fax (508) 528-6642, or visit the Liko website at www.liko.com.

About Saint Joseph Mercy Health System
Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, a member of Trinity Health, is a health care organization serving Washtenaw, Livingston, Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe, western Wayne and southwestern Oakland counties. It includes 537-bed St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Saint St. Joseph Mercy Saline Hospital with 74 beds, Saint St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital in Howell, featuring with136 beds and St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia with 304 beds. Combined, the four hospitals are licensed for 1,051 beds, employ more than 8,400 individuals and have a medical staff of nearly 1,500 physicians.

For more information on health services offered at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, please visit www.sjmercyhealth.org.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc., http://www.tizinc.com/

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Technorati tags: Liko, Safe Lifting, patient safety, hospital, healthcare, nurse, caregiver, injury prevention, risk manager, safety officer, safety official risk management

Franklin, Mass. – July 1, 2008 – Liko, a major supplier of patient lifts, slings and repositioning sheets for the healthcare industry, has announced two new additions to its “Stat” family of low-friction transfer and repositioning sheets.

Both new products, the Stat HandySheet™ and the Stat HandyTube™, help facilitate the placement of slings under patients or the movement of patients in bed.

Manufactured of extremely low friction fabrics, the new products are designed to reduce skin abrasions to the patient while also minimizing the caregiver’s workload during a variety of commonly encountered patient transfer and repositioning maneuvers.

Liko’s new Stat HandySheets are designed to be used in pairs and are recommended to facilitate placement of a sling while a patient is sitting in a wheelchair or lying on a bed. The Stat HandySheet is offered in two sizes – long and short – to accommodate a wide range of applications. In use, a pair of HandySheets are first placed beneath the patient, then the sling is easily slipped between the two sheets with minimum caregiver effort. The sheets can also be used to reposition patients higher up in bed. For more info: http://www.liko.com/web/show_page.asp?pageid=8254.

Liko’s new Stat HandyTube is designed to assist caregivers in repositioning, turning patients, or performing lateral transfer maneuvers. The Stat HandyTube is offered in three sizes: short, long, and wide. The wide model features sewn-on handles to provide extra grip when, for example, a single caregiver wants to turn or reposition a patient in bed. For more info: http://www.liko.com/web/show_page.asp?pageid=8253.

Certain models of the new sheets feature sewn-on pockets or loops in order to assist with specific caregiver tasks. For example, the HandySheet has corner pockets to ensure both sheets can be pushed completely under the patient at the same time. None of the new sheets are designed to be left under the patient for any extended period of time.

About Liko
Liko is one of the world’s leading suppliers of patient lift and transfer solutions. The company’s products range from mobile lifts to sit-to-stand models, overhead ceiling mounted systems, and bariatric models. For more information on either the Stat HandySheets or HandyTubes, contact Liko, 122 Grove Street, Franklin, MA 02038; telephone (888) 545-6671 or (508) 553-3993; fax (508) 528-6642; or visit the Liko website at http://www.liko.com/.

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Public Relations contact: Tiziani Whitmyre Inc.

Technorati tags: Liko, Safe Lifting, patient safety, hospital, healthcare, nurse, caregiver, injury prevention, risk manager, safety officer, safety official risk management