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January 17, 2025
for clinicians
Manual patient transfers often put patients and staff in vulnerable positions, which can be costly and risk their safety in the process.
Patient transfers are a critical aspect of healthcare, requiring careful attention to ensure the safety and comfort of both patients and staff. It is imperative that healthcare facilities take all steps possible to decrease potential risk involved in patient transfers. Manual patient transfers often put patients and staff in vulnerable positions, which can be costly and risk the safety of many in the process. Costs often stem from three overarching issues: staff injury, patient injury, and equipment costs.
Any method that includes lifting, pulling, or force used by a staff member to move a patient runs the risk of causing staff injury. According to OSHA, hospitals are among the most hazardous places to work with over 250,000 reported worker injuries annually. With 25% of all workers’ compensation claims being patient handling injuries (AON), it’s clear that current patient handling methods are not doing justice to the hardworking staff members that comprise our healthcare system.
On the other hand, facilities that implement a “zero lift program” have seen statistically significant reductions in both frequency and severity of injuries1. Reduction in injuries relieves a number of hidden costs for healthcare facilities.
Workers’ Compensation Claims can largely impact a healthcare facility’s budget, averaging between $15,860 to $22,300 per injury (AON). These claims often cover medical treatments, rehabilitation, and wage replacement for injured employees, creating a substantial financial drain. The costs are further compounded by indirect expenses such as overtime pay for other staff to cover shifts, decreased productivity, and potential increases in insurance premiums. Over time, these cumulative costs can strain budgets and emphasize the need for preventative solutions.
Staff turnover is a large issue plaguing healthcare facilities, with one contributing factor in turnover being injury. Whether it’s a series of small injuries or a single major one, sustaining an injury can result in emotional burnout and hinder a nurse’s ability to perform their duties. Limiting injury-driven turnover can significantly impact a healthcare organization; for every 1% decrease in nurse turnover, the average hospital saves $262,300 annually (Healthcare Finance).
Common injuries during manual patient transfer include skin tears, bruises, falls, and more, especially for patients with limited mobility or fragile health conditions. These injuries can prolong recovery times, increase the likelihood of legal claims against healthcare providers, and diminish trust and reputation of healthcare facilities. These incidents also risk non-compliance with safety standards, potentially resulting in fines or penalties.
Manual patient transfer methods can often include disposables as a part of their protocol, including reusable air transfer pads, single use air transfer pads, mattresses, or slings. While these disposables play a crucial role in minimizing infection risk, they come with significant costs—both for healthcare facilities and the environment. The ongoing expense of purchasing disposable items adds financial strain to a healthcare budget, while the accumulation of waste contributes to environmental pollution, making it essential to consider more sustainable alternatives that still prioritize minimizing infection risks. In one year at a 150 bed hospital, using reusable air transfer pads for patient transfer costs $270,533.86. In the same environment, using single use disposable air transfer pads costs $333,602. These significant costs point to the need for a disposable-free solution.
The SimPull is an innovation in patient handling technology, and differs from traditional manual patient transfers by requiring no force from staff and no consumables. The device works by moving the sheets a patient is laying on from one bed to another or repositioning them in a supine to sitting or boosting transfer. Studied by Sparrow Specialty Hospital and Corewell Health, the SimPull reimagines patient transfer in a way that decreases costs for facilities, staff, and patients.
Compared to reusable air transfer pads, the SimPull saves $395,201.05 over the course of a year. Compared to single use disposable air transfer pads, the SimPull saves $1,225,052 over the course of five years. Combined with the added value of decreasing injury, turnover, and workers' compensation claims, the SimPull amounts to $2,244 in savings daily per 100 transfers for healthcare facilities.
In terms of staff efficiency and allocation, the SimPull device is extremely beneficial, taking only 4 minutes and two staff per transfer, whereas a manual patient transfer requires 20 minutes and 4 staff to complete. This allows for improved staff efficiency and better allocation of resources, as it significantly reduces the time and personnel needed for each transfer. With the SimPull device, healthcare facilities can free up staff for other critical tasks, enhancing overall productivity and reducing labor costs.
If you’re interested in the drastic savings that the SimPull can create for your team or facility, we’d love to connect with you and help you improve the wellbeing of both staff and patients alike.
1. Charney W, Simmons B, Lary M, Metz S. Zero lift programs in small rural hospitals in Washington state: reducing back injuries among health care workers. AAOHN J. 2006 Aug;54(8):355-8. doi: 10.1177/216507990605400803. PMID: 16921866
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