Single Handed Care

[Jessie Snowdon]

Hi, I’m looking at including single handed care in our MH training. I wonder if anyone is using or has come across clear guidelines for when this is appropriate. I attended Deborah Harrison’s talk at conference last year and am comfortable talking about the need for a risk assessment but wondering about some guidelines? thank you!

[Kate Browne]

Hi Jessie

I also heard Deborah’s presentaion on this at the conference and have some concerns about this issue being that single handed care is prevalent in home care and carried out by caregivers who often lack a voice when decisions are made as to the need for one or two caregivers.
The decisons are also ususally made on the basis of availability of funding rather than actual client assessment

Anyway here is an exert from the Moving and handling guidelines NZ (Pg 65)about this.

“For clients in home care, an initial on‑site risk assessment should be carried out by a
carer deemed qualified by the organisation. It should involve the client, the client’s
family where appropriate and if applicable the funder. The risk assessment should
note what moving and handling equipment will be required, what changes (if any)
are needed in room or building layout, and whether the client will require assistance
from one or two carers for specific transfers (see Appendix 3.3). The carer assigned to
the client will be responsible for carrying out the care specified by the risk assessment
prior to each client transfer. Sole carers should be able to request specialist risk
assessments following any significant changes in clients’ mobility, profile or
environment, or following any indication that more than one carer or different
equipment may be required to transfer clients.”

Kate

[Julie Moffett]

Hi,
I also attended this talk. As well as the risk assessment part, my big take home was – this will only work if specialised equipment is purchased. The cost of the specialised equipment is countered by the need for fewer carers.
I fear that facilities will use this research to justify fewer carers, without investing in the necessary equipment.

[Anne McMahon]

I agree Kate and Julie, i am also concerned that any focus on single handed care will disadvantage rather than benefit patients and/or carers. The focus must be on what is required for the task to be performed safely and in that environment. If, as you say, a reduction of ‘bodies’ can be justified in an upgrade in facility design e.g. ceiling hoists then great but that must be a case by case and not only risk assessed but repeatedly risk assessed.

The good news is you’ll be able to ask Deborah herself as she is joining us on the AGM day on the 3rd of May here in Auckland. A MHANZ plans is going out shortly and Cubro are supporting Deborah to come join us for the day. She is very excited about the prospect and wants us to work her to the bone, which we will!

[Kate Browne]

Good to hear there is to be another MHANZ gathering
It would be great Anne if you could ask Deborah to present on other topics than those from last years AAMPH which quite a few of us have already heard.
Much appreciated
Kate

[Megan Ransley]

Hi all.
I know in the UK and Europe single handed care is very much the norm or at least the preferred first option. It does seem to be somewhat budget driven and an attempt to make the work force which is short handed stretch further. That said because it is pushed hard by those policies there have been some good responses by suppliers of manual handling equipment. Immedia are a part of Molift and I was interested to see at the Molift conference last year that they are the leading supplier of single handed bed mobility equipment to assist solo carers. Its not all high cost equipment and it can really help to know its available.

Morton&Perry will be sponsoring Ole Lindahl Thy to visit and present at the first annual Assistive Technology Suppliers New Zealand conference. His talk is titled ” Is it possible to implement safe patient handling with a reduced number of carers?” It is on 23rd May in Auckland and he is speaking from 1pm.

Drop me a line if you would like to know more on that conference, its not entirely directed at manual handling but I can send the programme if anyone is keen.
Megan Ransley
Megan@mortonperry.co.nz

[Debra Peters]

Hi Megan
Would be interested in the conference information for this.
I work in the community and have individual environments as a challenge.
We are fortunate that the NASC allocate enough hours for 2 people to attend a Client requiring hoisting

[Megan Ransley]

Hi Debra, no probs to send that info on. The Forum cant accept an attachment so I will need to email that through. What is the best email address for you?

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