Bill > S1436

This bill amends Chapter 111 of the General Laws to require health care facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities, to establish a safe patient handling and mobility program. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Requiring health care facilities to form a safe patient handling and mobility committee with at least 50% non-managerial direct care employees to design and oversee the implementation of the program. 2. Mandating the adoption and implementation of a safe patient handling and mobility program by December 1, 2023, to identify, assess, and develop strategies to control the risk of injury to patients and direct caregivers associated with patient handling and movement. 3. Requiring comprehensive analyses of the risk of injury and the benefits of early and consistent patient mobility, as well as the identification of necessary patient handling equipment and technology. 4. Providing specialized training in safe patient handling techniques to all direct caregivers and developing procedures for them to refuse unsafe handling without disciplinary action. 5. Requiring annual performance evaluation reports and the tracking and dissemination of injury data. 6. Ensuring the acquisition of necessary safe patient handling equipment by December 30, 2024, including at least one readily available lift per unit. The bill aims to minimize manual lifting and transfer of patients and promote the use of powered devices and technology to improve safety for both patients and healthcare workers.