Comparison of Caregiver Forces Required for Sliding a Patient Up in Bed Using an Array of Slide Sheets

Abstract

This study investigated the forces required while performing the common patient handling task of moving a patient up in bed using traditional cotton sheets or friction-reducing slide sheets. Twenty-nine healthy adult participants 18 to 36 years of age were recruited as "patients." Hand forces and lumbar compression and shear forces were calculated on the "caregiver" when performing the repositioning task. Significant differences in lumbar compression and lumbar sagittal shear forces at L4-L5 and at L5-S1 were found among the three sheet types. No difference in peak sum hand force was found between the slide sheets; however, the traditional cotton sheet created the greatest force at the hands and every sheet exceeded the recommended summative hand force of 35 pounds. As such, sliding patients up in bed may contribute to increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries in caregivers.

Sliding Sheet Use in Nursing Practice: An Intervention Study

“…They found a decrease in the peak torque and compression force at the L4/L5 joint when using friction-reducing devices for repositioning a supine patient toward the head of the bed. Similar conclusions were obtained by Bartnik and Rice (2013) who investigated the force required for moving a patient upward in bed using frictionreducing slide sheets versus traditional cotton sheets, which was reduced with the sliding sheet.…”

“…Lloyd and Baptiste's (2006) laboratory study concurs with our findings, showing significantly lower force on the upper extremities during the performance of transfer tasks using friction-reducing equipment compared with regular draw sheets. Bartnik and Rice (2013) also found a reduction in the force required by the caregiver's hands to pull a patient up in bed when using friction-reducing sliding sheets. Accordingly, it may be concluded that the use of a sliding sheet has a protective influence on arms, shoulders, and hands expressed after a prolonged period of time.…”

“…It has been confirmed that the methods (such as single hook method, two-person draw sheet technique) used by nursing personnel significantly affect the musculoskeletal system loading when repositioning a bedridden patient (Bartnik & Rice, 2013;Theou et al, 2011;Weiner, Kalichman, Ribak, & Alperovitch-Najenson, 2015). As repositioning is a frequent task creating a significant risk for work-related musculoskeletal pain (WRMSP) in nurses and nursing assistants (Screfer, 2001), an appropriate mechanical device is essential in assisting patient care, simultaneously preventing potential injuries to both patients and caregivers (Gonzalez, Howe, Waters, & Nelson, 2009;Koppelaar, Knibbe, Miedema, & Burdorf, 2012;Spratt et al, 2012).…”

“…We found that sliding sheets were the most advantageous compared april 2020 Workplace HealtH & Safety with traditional cotton sheets and special carriers (the carrier was made from synthetic nylon low-friction materials, in an inflexible structure, with ergonomic handles along each side). Previous studies have supported this claim as a part of injury prevention programs (Bartnik & Rice, 2013;Fragala et al, 2005;Theou et al, 2011). Nonetheless, there is still a need to explore ways of implementing the use of the sliding sheet in the workplace, focusing on factors involved in their adoption.…”

Effectiveness of a multidimensional intervention program in improving occupational musculoskeletal disorders among intensive care unit nurses: a cluster-controlled trial with follow-up at 3 and 6 months

“…A slide is a small auxiliary device used to transport a patient or move a patient from the bed to a wheelchair. Some studies support the use of slides as a part of musculoskeletal injury prevention programs as they can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries for nurses [54,55]. However, the current study showed a considerably low usage rate of slides (once every 2 days) among the ICU nurses.…”