By Amber Perez, Clinical Consultant and Amy Villars VP of Clinical Safety

One of the most common requests from SPHM Professionals is, “How do I improve compliance with SPHM?” In this series we will address this issue and offer SPHM Solutions. Amy and Amber both established and grew hospital based SPHM programs and worked in the industry for over 30 years combined. Let’s dive into the issue and SPHM solutions in this Part 2- The Repo Sling Solution

Do you have good coverage of ceiling lifts but poor compliance? Are you trying to gain budgetary support to increase your ceiling lift coverage but continue to struggle to get staff to use the ones you have? Are you just now moving forward with ceiling or mobile lifts but have concerns about showing the return on your investment? These are all common issues plaguing SPHM programs across the United States and beyond.

Let’s start with WHY staff are not using the ceiling lifts. First, grab the low hanging fruit. Are the lifts operational, is there a preventative maintenance and battery replacement program. Of course, if they don’t work you cannot expect staff to use them. Next, you have operational lifts and still low compliance.

We are in an unprecedented time, we have an aging population, a recent pandemic that stressed our healthcare infrastructure and we have a dwindling healthcare provider pool. We are doing more with less. Ask yourself, are you making SPHM accessible? When we as an industry really started to make strides in infection prevention we ensured access to sinks, soap, hand sanitizer and gloves IN THE ROOM. Imagine however, if there were sinks and no soap- would hand washing compliance reduce? Absolutely. If you have ceiling lifts in every room but the repositioning slings down the hall and tucked into a supply closet you are creating a similar situation. We must provide the solution in the environment of care, accessible and convenient.

SOLUTIONS:

One very effective, affordable, and efficient solution is to partner with housekeeping/environmental services and establish a standard to make the beds in rooms with lifts (or all rooms if you have mobile dependent lifts) with the repositioning sling as a standard. These can be used as the only sheet under the patient with a chux pad or layered to keep clean longer if no skin risk is identified. Most repositioning slings have breathability and pressure mapping studies to show skin safety.

The most common patient handling injury in healthcare facilities is related to repositioning patients. Repositioning sheets not only offer convenient use of the ceiling lift for boosting in bed, but can also be used for lateral transfers and Q2 hour turns. They reduce injury risk AND improve efficiency. Tasks which once required 2-4 caregivers to complete can be safely accomplished with just one caregiver. Making the bed with the repo sheet is like placing he soap dispenser at the sink- the full solution is available in the environment of care.

While Amy and Amber established programs over 1600 miles apart, they agreed that this strategy made a noticeable difference in their programs. Amber says, “Once we implemented the repo sling on all beds solution, it resulted in a measurable decrease in injuries and improved compliance with using the lifts.” Amy commented, “One surprising result for us was feedback from the wound nurse, she reported improved compliance with Q2 hour turns and better patient skin outcomes – in addition to improved SPHM compliance for me!”

The Repo Sling offers a solution for most dependent and moderate assist patients. These can be placed on all beds and ready for patients on admission, single patient use options may be used by the same patient throughout their length of stay. If you prefer washable, both options are available. The sling loops offer multiple attachment options to allow for positioning your patient for their comfort. These are breathable and pressure mapped to ensure skin safety and compliment your pressure injury prevention program.

Consider refreshing your SPHM program with Repo Slings in every room in your facility. For training, tips & tricks, or help making the financial case – visit www.inovihealth.com