ANA Launches New Website to Support Safe Patient Handling
The American Nurses Association launched a new Web site dedicated to safe patient handling intended to help reach ANA’s goals of eliminating manual patient handling in health care facilities. To view the new site, go to: www.ANASafePatientHandling.org.
ANA strongly supports two current House proposals — House Resolution 510, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, (D-NY) and “The Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2009” (H.R. 2381), sponsored by Rep. John Conyers, (D-MI). The Web site encourages registered nurses to write to their members of Congress in support of House Resolution 510, and to join ANA’s Safe Patient Handling Team.
The Web site also encourages RNs to submit their personal stories about why safe patient handling is important to them. Such stories can aid ANA’s advocacy efforts in Congress on this high-priority issue. The site also features background information and resources on safe patient handling, solutions to creating effective injury prevention programs, and information on state and federal legislation.
ANA has long advocated the use of assistive lifting equipment and devices to reduce incidences of musculoskeletal injuries and pain suffered by nurses, which are often career-ending and increases work-related health care costs. ANA launched its ANA Handle with Care® campaign in 2003 with the goal of establishing a no-manual-handling policy. In 2009, ANA launched the ANA Handle with Care Recognition Program™ to award health care facilities that have comprehensive safe patient handling programs.
Visit www.ANASafePatientHandling.org to learn more and see how you can become involved.
ANA Government Affairs and Communications Staff
Tags: H.R. 2381, Handle with Care, House Resolution 510, October 2009, Safe Patient Handling, The Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2009
