Transporting residents safely

Every year residents of nursing homes are injured by accidents that occur during transport, often within sight of the facility. Most of these accidents could be avoided if simple precautions are followed.

Nursinghomes Long Term Care Management magazine offers the following guidelines that protect facilities and residents:

* implement a drug testing program and motor vehicle registration checks for employees responsible for transporting residents
* equip vehicles with emergency communication devices, such as two-way radios or cell phones
* develop a preventive maintenance schedule for each vehicle
* provide an appropriate number of staff to meet the needs of patients while en route
* check equipment for proper working conditions before loading passengers
* park the vehicle so wheel chair lifts can be lowered to a flat area, away from traffic
* move the wheelchair completely on the platform during loading, with passenger’s hand and arms on lap
* set wheelchair brakes and fasten safety restraints before raising the lift to level of entry in van
* always fasten restraints according to manufacturer’s directions when transferring a wheelchair into the vehicle
* start the vehicle only after all passengers are properly seated
* provide a certified driver training course and offer annual refresher courses