Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Toolkit
The Safe Patient Handling and Mobility: A Toolkit for Program Development offers comprehensive guidance and resources to assist hospitals and other healthcare organizations in establishing or enhancing a sustainable safe patient handling and mobility (SPHM) program.
Use the links below to access the full toolkit or choose specific sections and related tools that support the SPHM program development activities outlined in each section.
The Suggested Sequence of Activities provides a summary of the essential steps outlined in the toolkit for developing, implementing, and evaluating an SPHM program.
1a. An Introduction to SPHM in Pictures (PDF)
2a. Master tool for tracking and analyzing incident and injury data. (Excel)
2b. Injury data summary report (PDF)
2c. Calculating direct and indirect injury costs (Excel)
2d. Coding and analyzing injury data and costs (PDF)
2e. SPHM Program manager/coordinator job description (PDF)
2f. SPHM stakeholders and their role (PDF)
2g. Tips for effective committee meetings (PDF)
2h. Sample project charter (PDF)
Hazard Identification & Assessment ↓
3a. Gap analysis tool (Word & Excel & PDF)
3b. Employee perception survey (Word & PDF)
3c. WMSD symptom/discomfort survey (Word & PDF)
3d. Manager survey of unit/department characteristics (Word & PDF)
3e. SPHM technology inventory survey (Word & PDF)
3f. Site visit assessment checklist (Word & PDF)
3g. Worksite assessment summary (Word & PDF)
3h. Tips for choosing a consultant (PDF)
Hazard Control & Program Plan Development ↓
4a. Prioritizing level of risk for SPHM and solutions (Excel)
4b. Tips for choosing solutions (PDF)
4c. Project template (Excel)
4d. Communications plan (Word & PDF)
4e. Policy samples (Word & PDF)
4f. Program plan summary template (Word & PDF)
4g. Unit-based SPHM champions/coaches (PDF)
4h. Lift teams pros and cons (PDF)
Hazard Control: SPHM Solutions ↓
5a. SPHM technology purchasing checklist (Word & PDF)
5b. Sling safety checklist and tips for users (Word & PDF)
5c Sling & hanger bar compatibility picture guide (PDF)
5d. Sling Inspection Checklist (Word & PDF)
5e. Point-of-Care Pre-Mobility Safety Check (PDF)
5f. Ergonomics Best Practices for SPHM (PDF)
Program Improvement & Sustainablility ↓
Sustaining a SPHM program involves maintaining the program at a consistent and effective level of activity. This requires regular monitoring of outcomes, continuous improvement of activities based on results, and ensuring that sufficient resources are allocated so the organization can continue to achieve the desired benefits.
This section offers a comprehensive collection of articles and downloadable resources designed to support the development, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) programs across diverse healthcare environments.