Background
Numerous metrics link patient transfer to the alarmingly high rate of nurse injuries: nearly 1/3 of the total number of lost work days can be attributed to injuries caused by patient handling events. Furthermore, the VA spends approximately $22M on injuries caused by patient transfer.
Need Statement:
Hospitals need a practical way to reduce the load carried by health care workers during bed-to-chair patient trasnfer that is also convenient and time efficient in order to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal back injury, thus limiting litigation costs and worker's compensation for on-the-job injuries.
The current standard of care for most patient transfers has been based on instructing nurses on proper body mechanics. Academic research has shown conclusively that even with proper mechanics, key biomechanical indicators such as spinal compression and shear stress may indicate that nurses remain at risk for injury.
Source: W.Marras, Low Back Disorders and Patient Handling, 11/2013
While the market for patient transfer devices is crowded, no comprehensive solution exists that has effective compliance and significant impact on injury rates. We aim to design solutions that will be accessible and widely-used by nurses, adds value for the hospital system, and that can help maintain the dignity of the patients in transfer.
