About Course

This course provides insight into the challenges faced by healthcare workers in bariatric transfers and manual handling. We will discuss how to reduce workplace injury by identifying how a patient can assist in their transfers, identifying risk factors, and applying safety measures while performing bariatric transfers, use of the right equipment, and assessing the environment and techniques for emergency evacuation of bariatric patients.

Improved means for different manual handling techniques for routine tasks will be shared, including lifting, turning, and repositioning patients, bathing tasks, making occupied beds, standing patients, and conducting patient transfers. In this scenario conventional standard manual handling practices as the patient’s weight is unevenly distributed, can be bulky or asymmetrical, and cannot be held close to the nurse/patient care staff. uncooperative behavior or sudden loss of balance.

We will discuss the use of right body mechanics, pathway flowcharts for community transfers, ambulance transfers, and 7 algorithms for transfers as published by the US Department of Veterans. This approach aids in staff retention, reduces workplace injuries, and prolongs a clinician’s career in their chosen field of healthcare. The clinician is expected to be confident and safe in performing bariatric transfer at work the next day. (Intermediate Level)

PRESENTERS

Dr. Rina Pandya PT. DPT has an extensive physical therapy career that spans over 20 years, through the UK, the USA and the Middle East. She has worked in NHS (National Health Service),American health care providing PT services in acute care, in-patient rehab, skilled nursing facility, home healthcare and outpatient clinic. In addition to being a clinician she has developed specialty programs based on evidence-based practice in her role as a project manager. She has also managed a Physical Therapy department as Department Head in premier private hospital in Oman. Rina graduated from Manipal University, India in 2000 as well as University of Michigan, in 2018 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. She has also been an educator with Summit Professional Education conducting live seminars. Rina is a member of the APTA, HCPC-UK and OAP-Oman.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

1. List the criteria of classification of bariatric patients.

2. Identify risks, environment assessment and patient assessment tools

3. Apply bariatric handling algorithms to everyday transfers

4. Express knowledge on the safety concepts for transfers related to both the staff and patients

5. Recognize transfer equipment options and proper transfer techniques.

AGENDA

Pre-Study: 30 Minutes Plan to read the course materials, references and review the post test before the start time. Please be prepared to share patient case study and related question during the discussion time.

15 minutes: Introduction and body types, including skin considerations.

30 minutes: Safety checklist and Risk identification (B-E S-A-F-E-R)

15 minutes: Pathways for transfers in hospital admission, community, ambulance and manual handling risks,

30 minutes: Handling the bariatric patients with algorithms

30 minutes: Safe patient handling and mobility techniques

Post-test: Research, identify, and submit your post test question answers on the online form. This is an open book test you can take multiple times if needed to obtain the 70% score. Complete course evaluation survey to offer your ratings and comments on the course