Why do caregivers get hurt?

Why do caregivers get hurt?  It's simple.  The human body is not designed for bending and lifting.  It puts immense stress on the back, and when loads are heavy wrists and shoulders can get injured as well. (ALL people are heavy! And patients are getting heavier)   The illustration shows what happens when a patient gets turned on their side manually.  One caregiver reaches over the patient, lifts their side up, and the second caregiver stuffs a pillow to keep the patient on their side.  Even when two people help, the force on the back is too much.

When a 200 lb. person is turned to their side, it puts 2,000 lbs of pressure on their low back, because of the leverage created by leaning over.  And, immobile patients need to be turned every two hours or they get bedsores and pneumonia.


Transfers from one bed or gurney to another are even worse, and caregivers can even get hurt helping a patient to stand and try to walk.  Research shows that none of it is safe.

Please write your representative and ask for their support for HR 2480, the Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act of 2013.  Nurses deserve our support and help.