VA CONSULTING SOLUTIONS

PROPOSAL FOR SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF

SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAM

Date: March 6, 2017

To: President & CEO Roberta Nadal
From: Amber Bentley
Andrea Bottom
Christina Cole
Paul Mendoza
Subject: Proposal For Successful Implementation Of Safe Patient Handling Program

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Recent studies are beginning to highlight the underdeveloped opportunity for increased
efficiency and safety in hospital patient management, particularly in patient transport and
handling. By implementing a successful Safe Patient Handling Program your hospital will reap
many benefits including a potential for great savings. We are available as early as April 3rd to
begin this implementation process. The project will be complete and functional by the conclusion
of 13 weeks. During the 6 phase project, we will cover all of your data collection and analysis
needs, instillation, employee training, and a follow up assessment of the completed project to
ensure successful functioning. Throughout the course of implementation we will be providing all

necessary information and sources to assist with your ability to make informed decisions on all
aspects along the way. We are excited at this opportunity to work with Saint John's Providence.

OUR PROPOSAL

THE PROBLEM
It is estimated that 98% of hospitals sorely lack proper patient handling programs
(Zwerdling,2015). The matter of safe patient handling practices are of the upmost relevance and
importance in every medical facility. Not only is safety for your patients and staff at stake, but
the liability and cost involved regarding injuries to the nursing staff, and potentially patients, is
of great concern as well. The risks involved with patient handling translates into money lost in
workers compensation claims, productivity loss, and higher turnover rates among nursing staff
(national average is 20%), nursing aids and orderlies/lift teams (OSHA,2013). Additionally,
improper patient handling has potential to cost St. John's Providence Health Systems in terms of
injuries sustained by patients during handling and transport. The estimated national average
shows 6.8 injuries per 100 nurses, and $22,400 spent per workers' compensation claim. If we
take into account the 1300 nurses on staff at Saint John's Providence, that would equate to
approximately $2 billion in losses for Saint John's in workers' compensation alone
(OSHA,2013).

THE OPPORTUNITY
St. Johns Providence has a well-deserved reputation for quality, however you are not immune to
the problem statement above. You are not alone, most hospitals face the same problem every
day. This is not a new problem, and thankfully it is one that has been solved. New and improved
processes have been created. With the implementation of "Safe Lift", "No Lift" or "Minimal
Lift" policies, your organization will benefit in the following ways:

Fewer injuries, illnesses, and infections

Reduced costs for workers' compensation claims and lower health insurance premiums
Reduction in Hospital Professional Liability Insurance
Less absenteeism and higher return-to-work rates following injury or illness
Improved work practices, leading to increased efficiency and greater patient safety and
satisfaction
Higher job satisfaction, morale, and employee retention
Enhanced reputation
(OSHA, 2013)

We have developed an implementation model for the processes above and propose that St.
Johns Providence would benefit greatly. Our implementation model will walk you through the
process step by step, from policy selection to equipment selection and even through training of
your staff to ensure success.

EXECUTIVE STRATEGY
The steps in the design process include assessing your networks needs, which will be done by
analyzing your trouble areas, as well as the frequency of injury rates of injury, mainly through
previously filed worker related injuries and illness reports, worker compensation claim
summaries, internal incident, investigation, and corrective action reports; as well as employee
turnover and recruitment data (OSHA, 2013). These forms will give us a better understanding of
your immediate needs and what areas are the most cost ineffective as well as what areas/units
would benefit the most from a lift system. To better assess your employees policies needs we
will analyze your networks answers to the patient handling self-assessment tool we have
generated that, once filled out properly, will isolate your specific areas of with the most need. By
answering the self-assessment checklist, we have required your agency to fill out, your network
will communicate to us directly what policies you already have implemented and areas in which
employee safety is optimal. Using the assessments and the data from the above listed sources we
will generate for implementation one of three viable solutions and desired policies that will
ultimately result in your health network having included in its policy an effective safe patient
handling program. The programs development and implementation will be overseen by the Safe
Patient handling team, which will be created from the shift leaders and management of each of
your facilities 20 units (OSHA,2013).

We will generate applicable solutions by assessing the data from the self-analysis and previous
successful implementation of prior safe patient handling programs. To further the success rate of
the effectiveness of the policies we are to implement, our agency will be adhering to the Safe
Patient Handling and Mobility: Inter-professional National Standards, devised by the American
Nurses Association. With this information at our disposal we aim to generate policy concepts
applicable and specifically tailored to your health network that under the proper guidelines will
prove to be efficient and sustainable.

We will analyze the effectiveness of our solution by assessing the monetary savings your
healthcare has produced in the decrease of workers compensation and patient litigation, reduced
time off for your nursing staff resulting from musculoskeletal injury, and over all less frequency
of musculoskeletal injuries. Our agency, working alongside your facilities development team,

will evaluate your Health care workers satisfaction via employee satisfaction surveys that
quantify their level of satisfaction with the policy, the program and its implementation, via the
assessment tools herein previously mentioned.

PROJECT APPROACH
Phase 1 consist of data collection, mainly through the analyzing of self-submitted answering
and by scouring of public records as well as accident reports. Total estimated time spent on
phase 1 is two weeks.
Phase 2 consists of the analyzing of said data to assess the needs of your health network as
well as designate key specific areas primed for improvement via the safe patient handling
policy. Total estimated time spent on phase 2 is two weeks.
Phase 3 includes the creation of a policy management team created from within your nursing
network who will be tasked with ultimately being responsible for enforcing and
implementing our advice and policy into the nursing staffs goals. Total estimated time spent
in phase 3 is one week.
Phase 4 is made up of the delivery, assembly and installation of the universal lift systems.
This will be attempted in the most noninvasive form with the goal of accomplishing one unit
at a time, with each unit having two fully functional lifts as a the only acceptable means of
finalization. Total estimated time spent on phase 4 is three weeks, though next phase can
begin as soon as installation is complete, creating a two week overlap of phase 4 and 5.
Phase 5 is training; every nursing staff is to be thoroughly trained in the use of the universal
lift system and proper lifting techniques. Our goal is to have every would be lift operator to
be instructed a minimum of six hours to ensure safe patient handling techniques and proper
lift use. Total estimated time spent on phase 5 is six weeks.
Phase 6 is follow up and implementation assessment, where we will assess the efficacy of
the policy in cooperation with the lift system and address any bottlenecks or areas of
improvement. We will also be in contact with the management team to see if they have any
other inquiries regarding the policy or the lift systems. Total estimated time spent on phase 6
is one week.

TIMELINE FOR EXECUTION
Key project dates are outlined below. Dates are best-guess estimates and are subject to change
until a contract is executed.

PROJECT DELIVERABLES
VA Solutions is delivering a safe and economic way to transfer patients without any harm to the
nursing and nursing assistant staff. Our company will provide the information needed to make an
intellectual decision to move forward in our process. Following is a complete list of all project
deliverables:

Deliverable
Analysis Report
Policy Management Documentation
Training Documentation
New Equipment
Implementation Assessment
Equipment Replenishment Plan
Description
Findings from Phase 2 of project where we analyze the documented accident reports of
your organization, looking for trends and trouble areas. We will also provide details of
how many of these incidents could have been avoided with the new processes and
equipment we are proposing.
Official documentation of policy as defined in Phase 3 of project.
For continuing education of staff and new hires after the end of project.
All equipment defined in the scope of this document will be provided in Phase 4 of this
project.
Primary deliverable of Phase 6 of this project, we will provide an evaluation of your
organizations implementation and success with new policy & equipment.
In Phase 6, we will help you evaluate your requirements for the recurring equipment
adjust ordering schedule as needed.

PRICING
The following table details the pricing for the
lift system, replacement slings, VA Solutions
consultation, deliver & installment and training
of the hospital staff outlined in this proposal.

This pricing is valid for 90 days from the date of this proposal.

VA Solution chose the Hoyer HPL500 Portable lift to save you from expenses on installation and
buying a variation of multiple lift systems. Also, we chose the Disposable Universal Slings to cut
down in cost of maintaining a clean and sanitized reusable sling. Meanwhile, VA Solutions will
be saving you approximately $1 million by providing training to your nursing staff free of
charge.

The team you will receive by hiring VA Solutions includes:

A project manager that has delivered several successful projects. Also, she pays attention to
detail and will accept nothing less than positive results. The project manager oversees and
executes the day-to-day tasks to complete the overall project in a timely manner.
A project materials coordinator who is highly organized and takes great care in retrieving
and keeping all information collected. Also, the project materials coordinator will coordinate
with the staff and the manufacturer for effective delivery and installation of the product.
A research analyst who has done extensive research into a variety of patient lift systems and
has come to a conclusion as to which one would have the greatest benefit for your hospital.
Also, the research analyst has analyzed several opposing ideas and has been able to
determine which one is of the least cost.
The research assistant and marketing liaison has provided assistance to the research analyst
during the research that has been conducted. Our marketing liaison has working knowledge
of your hospitals different levels and will offer up to date project-status information.

Initial Project Cost

Item Supplier Quantity Unit Price Total Price

Equipment Fees
Hoyer HPL500 Portable Lift Cascade HealthCare Solutions 40 $2,208.96 $88,358.40
Hoyer Lift Replacement Battery Cascade HealthCare Solutions 40 $230.60 $9,224.00
Disposable Universal Sling & Head Support Lifetran Mobility 20 $323.00 $6,460.00
MEDIUM
Disposable Universal Sling & Head Support LARGE Lifetran Mobility 20 $330.00 $6,600.00
Disposable Universal Sling & Head Support XLARGE Lifetran Mobility 20 $370.00 $7,400.00
Service Fees
VA Consulting Solutions Project Execution & $178,000.00
Management
Delivery & Installation $0.00 $0.00
Training $950,000.00 $0.00
Total $296,042.40

Sources: Cascade Health Care Solutions. "Hoyer HPL500 Lift." Www.cascadehealthcaresolutions.com. N.p., 2009. Web. 09

Mar. 2017.
"Cost Effectiveness of a Multifaceted Program for Safe ..." N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.
Liftran Mobility. "Disposable Universal Sling & Head Support." Liftran Mobility LLC. N.p., 2009. Web. 09 Mar. 2017.

Monthly Recurring Equipment Cost (Post Implementation)*

Total
Item Supplier Quantity Unit Price Price
Equipment Fees
Disposable Universal Sling & Head Support Lifetran Mobility 20 $323.00 $6,460.00
MEDIUM
Disposable Universal Sling & Head Support LARGE Lifetran Mobility 20 $330.00 $6,600.00
Disposable Universal Sling & Head Support XLARGE Lifetran Mobility 20 $370.00 $7,400.00
Total $20,460.00

*Disclaimer: The prices listed in the preceding table are an estimate for the services discussed. This summary is not a warranty of
final price. Estimates are subject to change if project specifications are changed or costs for outsourced services change before a
contract is executed. Sources: Liftran Mobility. "Disposable Universal Sling & Head Support." Liftran Mobility LLC. N.p., 2009.
Web. 09 Mar. 2017.

QUALIFICATIONS
This council consists of former VA employees that have recently been present during the
implementation of the Safe Patient Handling Policy. However, these professionals recognized an
underserved need within the private sector and decided to construct their own company, VA
Consulting Solutions. This company aims to benefit in lowering budgets by providing
inexpensive quality products and avoiding the cause of more stress upon multiple hospitals. This
company, with the use of the VAs policies, strives to improve and benefit hospitals in many
necessary aspects. Down below describes the specific jobs that each employee obtains within the
project:

Paul Mendoza takes on the role as the Research Analyst, which includes detailed research to
many of the diverse patient lift systems and concludes on whether one is more beneficial
than the other. He takes in and receives any conflicting opinions and can elect on the most
effective yet inexpensive cost for the lift systems. Paul possess several accomplishments
such as a masters in Health Sciences while working on pursuing his Ph.D.
Amber Bentley claims the title as the Project Materials Coordinator, who arranges and
obtains all information collected. Another expectation to this job is collaborating and
working together with the staff and the producer for a correct delivery and installation of the
product, within the hospitals, to ensure the accuracy of the lift systems. She oversees the
project to ensure that documents, and/or products are available and functioning is at its best.

 Amber has recently received a masters in Medicine and a bachelors in Health Sciences.
Andrea Bottom holds the title for Project Manager which provides many positive project
deliveries such as gathering research, and editing and revising any documents needed for the
companys presentations. She takes note of every feature and insists on the most positive
and effective result to the project. Andrea manages time, defines the project, and works on
building its comprehensive work plan while managing the budget. Andrea has acquired a
masters in Nursing as well as Management.
Christina Cole obtains the role as the Research Assistant and Marketing Liaison. She aids in
analyzing the research that has been conducted for the growth of the company. She assists in
multiple databases to find more information to advance the company further. Christina uses
websites, polls, legal documents, and other published research to help the person they are
assisting collect information. She obtained a masters in Nursing and plans to advance her
degree in the upcoming years.

 Work Cited

1800wheelchair. Stature patient lift, Hoyers flagship product. 1997. Thornhill, Ontario.

California Nurses Association/National Nurses. Break Fevers Not Backs . 2011. California.

Cascade Health Care Solutions. "Hoyer HPL500 Lift." Www.cascadehealthcaresolutions.com.

N.p., 2009. Web. 09 Mar. 2017.

"Cost Effectiveness of a Multifaceted Program for Safe ..." N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.

Field, Graham . SURELIFT UNIVERSAL SLINGS WITH FULL HEAD SUPPORT. 2017.

Atlanta, GA.

"Hoyer Lift Battery - Linak Battery Pack - Presence, Stature, Journey battery."

Www.phc-online.com. Volusion, 1999. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.

Liftran Mobility. "Disposable Universal Sling & Head Support." Liftran Mobility LLC. N.p.,

2009. Web. 09 Mar. 2017.

MaMaPhotography. I Got Your Back! 2015. Writer Who Speaks!, n.p.

Minority Nurse. 2016. New York, NY. By Julia Quinn Szcesuil.

OSHA. "UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR." Occupational Safety and Health

Administration. N.p., 2013. Web. 09 Mar. 2017.

"Road Map to a Comprehensive Safe Patient Handling Program." N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.

"Safe Patient Handling- Self-Assessment (PDF)." N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.

"Safe Patient Handling - Program Checklist (PDF)." N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.

"Safety and Health Management Systems: A Road Map." N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.

Zwerdling, Daniel. "Hospitals Fail To Protect Nursing Staff From Becoming Patients." NPR.

NPR, 04 Feb. 2015. Web. 09 Mar. 2017.