Using a new electric stretcher system purchased with grant money from Michigan Healthy Community’s Ergonomics Awareness program, the U-M Health System medical transport team will be transporting isolettes, self-contained incubators for babies, with reduced risk of injury to themselves and their tiny patients.
“Our patients may only weigh a few pounds, however, the equipment we use to transport them weighs hundreds of pounds,” says John Bullen, flight nurse specialist with U-M’s transport team, Survival Flight.
“The electric stretcher raises and lowers the isolette mechanically, reducing the need to manually lift or lower the unit. This results in improved safety for the patient as well as the transport team any time the unit is moved.”
Twelve University units received grants totaling $45,000 to help implement ergonomic solutions in their work environment. Ergonomics is the science of fitting the work place to the worker, often resulting in the promotion of safety, health, productivity and job satisfaction.
“For the second year in a row we’ve received more than $500,000 in grant requests, so we know there is a definite need across the University,” says Suzanne Bade, Ergonomics Awareness program chair and senior ergonomic consultant for MWorks Occupational Health Services.
“We’re fortunate that the University recognizes this need and supports MHealthy’s goals of creating a healthy and safe work environment.”
Winners of the Ergo Grant Incentive Program received up to $15,000 to purchase equipment, train staff or redesign work processes to improve employee comfort and safety. Recipients include Central Power Plant, Construction Services, Department of Pathology, HomeMed Home Care Services, Museum of Paleontology, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning, U-M-Dearborn Facilities Management, U-M-Flint Cashier’s Office, U-M-Flint Facilities, UMHS Survival Flight and the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine.
“We encouraged all departments receiving grants to share in the cost of the project,” Bade says. “Many of the recipients were able to match the amount of the grant to maximize the benefits.”
The grant and award program also recognized departments that had already implemented ergonomic solutions that reduced risk factors.
Recipients of the Effective Ergonomic Solutions Awards include Campus Mail Services, Campus Maintenance, Department of Psychology, U-M Hospitals and Health Centers Security, U-M Hospitals and Health Centers 6B Nursing, and the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine.
