Citation

Staal C, White B, Brasser B, LeForge L, Dlouhy A, Gabier J. Rehabil. Nurs. 2004; 29(6): 211-4, 230; discussion 214.

Affiliation

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA. cstaal@mfbrc.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Association of Rehabilitation Nursing, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15598000

Abstract

Following a remodeling of patient care rooms at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, the nursing staff reported frequent slipping in patient care areas. Data were analyzed and revealed that most slips were occurring during transfer of patients from shower chairs. An extensive literature review was done, and solutions to slipping were sought from areas outside of the healthcare industry. Specifically, ideas were borrowed from the commercial fishing industry and the restaurant industry. Both industries rely heavily on footwear to reduce slipping in the workplace. A trial was initiated with nursing staff members wearing positive-grip shoe covers that can be worn over regular footwear. No slips occurred during the trial. The purpose of this article is to motivate nurses who are involved in transferring patients from shower chairs (often used in rehabilitation settings) to consider the role their footwear has in reducing slips and potential injury.