• Roll-out date
• Staff training
• Publicize program
• Beware of barriers

Speaker Notes:

The third major step in creating a safe resident handling program is the actual implementation. In this step:

• Identify a roll-out date
• Educate by training all staff, from senior management to front-line employees regarding the ergonomic risk factors inherent in lifting, transferring and repositioning residents. Also, train staff on high risk tasks, and new program and processes.
• All staff on all shifts need to be included. Work with staff education to implement the training. This may include the vendor providing training or development of a train-the trainer program for the facility.
• Publicize by working with the media/public relations department to communicate, publicize and promote the new program once implemented
  
• Be aware of barriers to change - it is difficult to change behavior. Manual lifting has been the norm for the vast majority of healthcare workers. This culture has been perpetuated . It will not be changed overnight. Incorporate information on change into staff education and acknowledge staff concerns