VA Nurse in Maryland Recognized for Safe Patient Handling

Rates of injuries from overexertion in the health care setting are among the highest of all U.S. industries, with the manual lifting, moving and repositioning of patients being the single greatest risk factor for injury. Safe patient handling programs aim to reduce injuries to health care workers as well as patients.

The ASPHP awarded five safe patient handling and mobility awards, one in each of five categories, at its 2023 National Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Education Event held in Arizona in March. Hill was named a recipient of the Warrior Award, which recognizes a frontline caregiver’s special skills, dedication and commitment to safe patient handling and mobility in the delivery of outstanding direct patient care and leadership. Demetrius Jones, PhD, MSN, RN, Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Program manager for the VA Maryland Health Care System, accepted the award on Hill’s behalf.

“Susan is an asset to her profession and the VA Maryland Health Care System,” said Jones. “She fosters teamwork and a culture of safety as she provides ongoing safe patient handling training for nursing and support staff. Her commitment is clear: She participates in falls retreats, collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, assists with injury investigations involving staff and veterans, and she has even obtained certification in early mobility.”

Hill works in the Community Living Center at the Perry Point VA Medical Center where she serves as a unit-based peer leader and early mobility champion in an inpatient setting. She was instrumental to the inception of the Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Program at the VA Maryland Health Care System in 2008. She remains at the forefront as the program has evolved and grown to include more than 400 operating ceiling lifts and a variety of air assisted devices, patient floor lifts, antifriction devises, and ambulation technology. Safe patient handling practices are now in place at all inpatient sites throughout the VA Maryland Health Care System, the Peer Leader Group has increased by 50%, injury reporting is up 25% in the past two years, and the number of certified early mobility champions has grown to 14.  

For Hill, the mission is twofold. “We must maintain a safe environment and experience for the patient and reduce harm to caregivers and patients, while also supporting the patient’s ability to be mobile and promote their independence for as long as safely possible,” she said. “Since this program has been in effect, we continue to see a significant reduction in injuries to patients and caregivers. With proper education and equipment to use, the numbers should continue to decline.”