Industry: Skilled Nursing Facility – NAICS Code: 6231

Task: Resident care

Employees: 450-500

Success Brief:

In 2007 Missouri Slope decided to address the issue of employee injuries related to resident care by implementing a "No Lift" policy. In addition, they required a minimum of two staff members when operating mechanical lifts. This policy change resulted in safer lifts/transfers for both the employees and the residents. With the construction of a new facility, ergonomic design and equipment (e.g., ceiling lifts in all 192 resident rooms) have been incorporated throughout the facility and are used by all departments and staff.

Problem:

In the mid to late 1990s employees at Missouri Slope had a 1 in 7 chance of suffering a work-related musculoskeletal injury, and their Worker's Compensation premiums were at an all-time high due to the number of injuries that were occurring.

Solution:

In 2007 the company implemented a "No Lift" policy and began requiring employees to use mechanical lifts when lifting/transferring residents. With the construction of a new facility Missouri Slope has included ceiling lifts in each resident room. This allows for assisted transfer of residents anywhere in their room, including the shower. They have continued to evaluate and purchase ergonomically appropriate equipment and improve their training and best practices in all departments.

Impact:

Implementation, and continued improvement, of the facility's ergonomic program, along with employee engagement, has reduced and almost eliminated employee musculoskeletal injuries related to resident lifts/transfers. Average injury rates for 2021 – 2023 (Total Case Rate of 4.7) dropped to 64% below the national average for Skilled Nursing facilities (2022 BLS Rate of 13.1) and the company's Worker's Compensation premiums have trended down drastically as the injury rates have dropped.

Additionally, integrating the ceiling lifts into resident's rooms has reduced resident injuries during a lift/transfer to zero. This has resulted in, not only a reduction in employee injuries, but improvement of resident safety and overall efficiency.

Implementation of the change in the resident transfer policy also prompted the company to apply for membership in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). They have now been a VPP Star site for 15 years and are the only VPP Skilled Nursing facility in the region. With a simple change to the company's policy, Missouri Slope embarked on a multi-year process that culminated in a facility wide ergonomics program, continues to evolve, and improve each year, and has resulted in few to no work-related injuries, and zero resident injuries, from resident lifts/transfers.

Source:

Mike Hatten, Safety and Health Manager, Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center (May 2024)

Submission Reference Number: 22-100688