Outcomes of safe patient handling and mobilization programs: A meta-analysis.

The analysis combined pre-post program evaluations rather than randomized trials, so each site served as its own control and other changes over time may have influenced injury rates. The included sites varied widely in institution size, services, and patient care level, and the studies showed moderate to high heterogeneity (I2 = 0.729, H = 1.92). Injury counts came from recorded workplace injuries, so unreported injuries and self-reported musculoskeletal pain may have been missed. Data were not reported at the individual worker level, so turnover, staffing changes, and differences in exposure may be hidden. Program costs and financial benefits were reported inconsistently, and only 15 of 27 papers included them. Only 2 papers reported both worker injury and patient outcome data, so patient outcome effects are not well established. No significant differences were found by program component, but the number of studies may not have been large enough to detect such differences.

Do not read the 56% decrease as proof that a lift team, a lift limit policy, a ceiling lift, or a powered mobile lift alone caused the reduction. The included studies were pre-post program evaluations, and the analysis did not find significant differences across program components.