RESEARCH REPORT
EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVES OF THE MANUTENTION APPROACH TO TRAINING FOR EFFECTIVE PATIENT HANDLING


Author: Julie MacRae
Qualification: Master of Health Science, Occupational Safety and Health for Edith Cowan University

Abstract:

This research project was designed to identify among health care delivery organizations the perceived benefits of training staff to use the Manutention approach for patient handling tasks. Ten health care organizations in Western Australia currently using the Manutention approach were interviewed and the data were analyzed by descriptive statistical analysis.
All organizations reported reductions in the incidence and severity of manual handling injuries and that staff found the training applicable to the workplace and enjoyable. Organizations were only informally assessing the retention, application or effectiveness of Manutention training and showed 70% had staff using the Manutention approach twelve months after training.

It was concluded that the Manutention approach is effective when combined with an occupational safety and health program. Its strengths are the biomechanical and adult learning principles it uses, its application to all work situations, the enjoyment staff and trainers have in the training and that the principles that are taught are observed in performance after 12 months. Recommendations at the completion included a nation wide study; a greater focus on competency and developing a manutention based for patient handling competency standard.