Implementation of a Fitness Education and Training Program to Support Safe Patient Handling and Safe Lifting

This project involves the delivery of education and training sessions to Seven Oaks General Hospital (SOGH) staff, with the goal of workplace injury prevention. Education will include review of provincial safe patient handling and back injury prevention guidelines and review of core fitness competencies required to comply with injury prevention standards. Training sessions will include exercises to improve core, gluteal and quadricep strength, hip/knee mobility and hamstring flexibility. Training will also be an opportunity to provide feedback on functional movement performance. Outcomes will include questionnaires on: low back pain/dysfunction; movement confidence; work injury rates and participant satisfaction with program. The project will advise stakeholders of the benefits and challenges associated with implementation of a fitness program to support safe patient handling techniques, as outlined in the provincial guidelines for healthcare workers.