(Savannah) St. Joseph's/Candler health professionals have a load off their shoulders.
The days of stooping, and bending to move patients are over.
"We've had a large number of work injuries here at St. Joe's/Candler, and statistically across the nation nurses are continuously hurting themselves," says Diane Hinely.
In the last two and a half years the health system spent a half million dollars on co -worker injury claims due to moving patients.
"We found that nurses have the lower back we have shoulder pains that is our number one injuries."
Safety is now built into the walls.
Patient lifts attached to the ceiling are designed to prevent strains and injuries.
The ceiling lifts stretch up to ten feet, a sling is placed underneath the patient. Then the sling is attached to the lift. At the push of a button the patient is transported.
Physical Therapist Assistant Dana Elkins loves it.
"Because it can be cleaned between each patient as well as you can lift the patient up and down. You can move them from stretcher to bed. You can put them on bedside commode."
The lifts are also meant to protect knee injury patients like jean butler from falls while being treated.
"I think it's good that they've got it because I'm not that big a person. I'm big built, but I don't weigh that much but there's people that's bigger than I am heavier than I am. And it helps the employees of the hospital handle them better."
The patient lifts can hold 600 pounds.
A critical investment to prevent injuries and to cut cost.
Diane Hinely says that some nurses have permanent back damage from lifting patients.
The new lifts are installed in 126 beds at Saint Joseph's/Candler in mostly critical care units.
The goal is to have all of their 636 beds equipped with lifts.
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