An Act relative to safe patient handling and mobility in certain health facilities
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill addresses safe patient handling and mobility practices within certain health facilities in Massachusetts. It aims to reduce the risk of injury to both patients and healthcare workers by establishing requirements for staffing, equipment, and training related to moving and transferring patients. The legislation seeks to improve patient safety and well-being through enhanced protocols and procedures.
Key provisions
- Requires health facilities to develop and implement policies and procedures for safe patient handling and mobility.
- Establishes staffing ratios to support patient movement and transfers.
- Mandates training for healthcare personnel on safe patient handling techniques.
- Requires the use of appropriate equipment to assist with patient mobility.
- Promotes the use of assistive technology to reduce the physical strain on staff.
- Requires facilities to assess and address patient risk factors related to mobility.
- Establishes a process for reporting and investigating incidents related to patient handling.
Who is affected
- Healthcare facilities (hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities)
- Patients receiving care in these facilities
- Healthcare workers (nurses, aides, therapists)
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health
- Health Care Financing agencies
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
15 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Adrianne Pusateri Ramos
Christopher Richard Flanagan
Arguments
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