Moving the patient: Creating sustainable outcomes and satisfaction in safe patient handling and mobility programs
Safe Patient Handling & Mobility programs are being implemented with increased frequency. However, getting them started and sustaining momentum and success poses great challenges for many. This session will explore the challenges, strategies and real-life experiences that healthcare organizations have implemented that have resulted in significant reductions in patient handling related worker compensation costs. The session will also discuss other outcomes such as reductions in patient falls, hospital acquired pressure injuries as well as improvements in other potential complications associated with immobility.
Learning objectives:
- Identify the key metrics to utilize to demonstrate the need for a Safe Patient Handling and Mobility program.
- Identify must have components within a program to establish & drive success
- Discuss challenges that can interfere with the success
- Review real life strategies utilized to overcome barriers to success
Presenters
Evelina Neighbors, BS, PTA
Clinical Safety Education Specialist - West Virginia University Hospitals (WVUH)
Evelina Neighbors has 15 years of clinical experience as a physical therapist assistant, primarily in areas of acute care. She currently is the Clinical Safety Education Specialist at West Virginia University Hospitals (WVUH) in Morgantown, WV. As a Clinical Safety Education Specialist, she trains and coordinates the safe patient mobility program at WVUH. She recently co-presented at the Association of Safe Patient Handling Professionals National Conference regarding the trials and tribulations of safe patient handling.
Andrew Rich MS, OTR/L, CSPHP
Clinical Solutions Manager - Arjo
Andy Rich earned his Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Rush University in Chicago. After beginning his career in traditional clinical practice, he transitioned into the field of safe patient handling and mobility in 2004—and hasn’t looked back since.A passionate advocate for both caregiver and patient safety, Andy has served on the Board of Directors for the Association of Safe Patient Handling Professionals and contributed to the development of industry standards through education, consultation, and program design. Over the past two decades, he has worked as a consultant, clinical manager, and solution manager within Arjo’s MOVE® Programs, partnering with healthcare organizations nationwide to strengthen safety culture, reduce injuries, and transform mobility practices.Andy brings a distinctive blend of clinical expertise, behavioral-based safety, systems thinking, and improvisational comedy to his work—helping complex change feel practical, human, and even enjoyable. A frequent presenter at regional and national conferences, he is dedicated to creating mobility solutions that keep patients and caregivers safe—and deliver results worth bragging about.