Safe patient handling program reducing injuries and costs MACHIAS — Lifting, turning, tugging and pulling have been greatly reduced at The Pines public nursing homes, resulting in fewer injured workers and lower workers’ compensation costs. The nearly 400 employees of The Pines, located in Jamestown and Machias, recently received training on safe patient handling. The training is the result of work by CSEA and a grant from the Western New York Council on Occupational Health and Safety. A safer approach “For decades, front line workers in health care risked serious injury as they cared for their patients,” said Cattaraugus County Local President Rose Teachman. “Safe patient handling has changed the way we work and reduced the financial cost of injuries.” Safe patient handling uses a variety of lifts and assistive devices to reduce strain on workers and take pressure off residents’ bodies when they are being moved. Safe patient handling, formerly known as “no lift,” has been in use to some degree at The Pine of Machias since the facility opened. The grant, however, provided education and training that emphasizes the importance of using the assistive devices every time a resident is moved. The facility is working to ensure enough equipment is available at all times. “It’s a great program,” said Jennette Kent, a registered nurse and in-service infection control coordinator. “We are changing the culture of how we were trained to do things and making it better for everyone, residents and workers.” A “win-win-win” Statistics show safe patient handling works: injury rates have significantly dropped and as a result, a reduction in workers’ compensation costs is expected. “Controlling workers’ comp costs at The Pines is good not only for the nursing home, but for the entire county,” Teachman said. The county is self-insured, so comp costs for just about every CSEA unit are pooled in one fund.” Safe patient handling isn’t the only way to control costs while continuing high quality care. CSEA and county officials recently reached an agreement that will allow “light duty” at The Pines. Workers who had been out with an injury or illness can return to work with their doctor’s approval and complete duties determined by the doctor to be acceptable. The light duty continues until the worker is cleared to complete his or her full duties. “By allowing people to come back to work and do what they can, we can further reduce comp costs,” Teachman said. “There is plenty of work to be done. If someone is not cleared to move a patient, that person may be cleared to make beds, run activities or feed and dress residents. “Bringing the person back to work sooner rather than later is win-win-win. It is good for the workers, good for the residents and good for the county,” Teachman said. CSEA members are part of a county, 10-member cost containment committee that is studying ways to increase revenue and hold the From left, Certified Nursing Assistant Tammy Prouty, Registered Nurse Jennette Kent and Certified Nursing Assistant Anna Tinch demonstrate a chair lift at The Pines of Machias Nursing Home. line on expenses. The committee will provide a recommendation to the county legislature in February. The goal is to keep the safety net nursing homes public. “The Pines Nursing Homes provide good paying, middle class jobs in a county dotted with small cities, towns and farms,” Teachman said. “Good jobs are especially important in Machias, which is largely rural. Without good, middle class jobs, the entire community would suffer.” — Lynn Miller New leadership means new life for Orange County’s Valley View Nursing Home GOSHEN — CSEA members employed at Orange County’s Valley View Nursing Home are looking for a fresh start with the departure of longtime County Executive Ed Diana. Diana, who did not seek re-election and left office Dec. 31, had long created dark clouds for the county-owned facility with constant threats of closure. Despite a report from accountants that confirmed legislators’ statements that Valley View’s finances have improved, Diana still attempted to de-fund the facility in his final budget as county executive and later vetoed lawmakers’ move to restore funds. Legislators sent Diana a strong message with a 19-0 vote to override that veto. “By bringing in a new administrator at Valley View, we’ve already seen tremendous change in the past year,” said Orange County Local President Sabina Shapiro. “Now the opportunity is there to implement even more of the suggestions that can sustain Valley View. The quality of care and the true finances have never been the issue.” This year was the third year in a row that Diana included Valley View’s closure or sale in his proposed county budget. With a heated election this fall for the county’s newly re-drawn legislative districts, only Legislator Michael Amo, who ran unopposed, was on record favoring a Valley View sale. “I am very proud of our members at Valley View who have stood strong and maintained quality care for their residents all while Diana was attempting to push them out of their jobs,” said Southern Region President Billy Riccaldo. “Diana set the facility up to fail, but he was stopped in his tracks. Valley View has been a success story these past three years because of strong advocates in the Legislature and strong union activists at Valley View. We intend for that success to continue.” — Jessica Ladlee 14 The Work Force January 2014
Jan_14_WF
To see the actual publication please follow the link above