MHA Keystone Center Hosts Safe Patient Handling Event April 13

Healthcare workers across the state gathered April 13 in Southeast Michigan to discuss best practices for patient handling to ensure the safety of both the patient and the caregiver.

The MHA Keystone Center partnered with EarlyMobility.com to bring live safe patient handling demonstrations and interactive mobility equipment activities to more than 60 occupational therapists, quality and risk managers, nurses, physical therapists and physicians. Participants discussed the importance of safe, early and continuous mobility and how properly utilizing mobility equipment ultimately is in the best interest of patients and caregivers. Presenters also highlighted the cost and time savings that come from prioritizing revised best practices for patient handling and mobility.

The event was made possible by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s support of the MHA Keystone Center and its ongoing quality and safety initiatives. The MHA Keystone Center partnered with the following equipment vendors for the event’s live patient handling demonstrations: Arjo, Hovertech International, Inspire Outcomes LLC, Jamar Health Products, Inc. and Medcotech. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration also collaborated with members throughout the event.

Members with questions may contact the MHA Keystone Center.

Registration Available for MHA Keystone Center Safe Patient Handling Conference

Registration is now open for the MHA Keystone Center Safe Patient Handling Conference. The all-day event will take place April 13 at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest.

In partnership with the MHA Keystone Center, EarlyMobility.com and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the free event will provide participants with a better understanding of how caregiver and patient safety are connected. Attendees will also learn how safe, early and continuous mobility can help achieve better patient outcomes in less time with fewer staff.

Participants will view live simulations demonstrating best practices for patient handling and discuss how to avoid care activities that cause caregiver injury and compromise quality of care.

Risk and safety officers, physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists and worker’s compensation staff are encouraged to register.

Nursing, physical therapy, risk management and quality credits have been secured for the event. Continuing education credits for occupational therapy are being pursued.

About the speakers:

Margaret Arnold

Margaret Arnold is one of the world’s foremost experts on early mobility and is CEO of EarlyMobility.com. Margaret has over 25 years of experience as a PT, specializing in back injury treatment and prevention, industrial rehabilitation, ergonomics and safe patient mobility. You can often catch Margaret both domestically and internationally speaking at conferences related to PT, early mobility and safe patient handling. She is the editorial advisor on early mobility for the International Journal of Safe Patient Handling and has a seat on the board of directors for the American Safe Patient Handling Association.  She has published extensively on both topics and is a pioneer in integrating early mobility programs with safe patient handling programs.

Janice Homola

​Janice Homola is President Emeritus of the Michigan Health Care Safety Association (MHCSA). As a certified safe patient handling associate (CSPHA), Janice specializes in safe patient movement and mobility by conducting gap analyses, collaborating to determine improvements, providing coaching and education and by improving organizations’ cultures of safety.

Janice was co-developer and presenter for five years for MIOSHA funded, statewide seminars, On the Backs of Healthcare Workers, to spotlight the depth and breadth of patient movement challenges and provide innovative solutions. She participated with MIOSHA in ergonomic standard development and provided safe patient movement education to MIOSHA’s Consultation Education and Training division.

Members with questions about the conference may contact the MHA Keystone Center.

EarlyMobility.com is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. This live event is an introductory level course. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products of clinical procedures by AOTA.