A Study Protocol for a Randomized Trial on Effect of Safe Patient Handling (SPH) program on Rehabilitation Outcomes and on Safety of Physical Therapists in Rural Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Patient management and intervention practices are a crucial component of patient treatment
in the hospitals. In recent times the focus is put on early and regular mobilization of patients to boost recovery
during and after hospitalization. Increase in inpatient mobilization to improve patient treatment raises a
physiotherapist’s physical demands and therefore risk of injury. With the context of a patient mobilization
program, better work procedures and decrease in physiotherapist’s injuries while working, SPH program
will be incorporated.
Purpose : The goal of this research is to evaluate the effect of SPH program and mobilization in context of
efforts to improve quality of health care and safety of patients as well as the physical therapist.
Method : There will be 2 groups, intervention (SPH) and comparison (no-SPH) each group will consist of
20 patients. The intervention group will be consisting the patients admitted in rehabilitation unit for the first
three months of the research and the comparison group will consist the patients admitted in rehabilitation
unit in the last 3 months of the research. Intervention group will undergo rehabilitation with SPH program
which will include equipments like lifts based on ceiling and floors, sit to stand supports, motorized hospital
beds and ambulation aids.
Result : Statistical analysis will be conducted. Comparison will be made on a variety of characters such as
age, duration of stay and diagnosis to determine equivalence between the groups. Evaluation of the impact
of SPH program on recovery outcome will be done by linear regression model. FIM scores of intervention
group at admission and discharge will be compared to the comparison group FIM scores at the time of
admission and discharge. The linear regression model will represent the graphical overview of the mean
mobility scores at the time of admission and at the time of discharge for each group.
Conclusion: The publication of conclusion will be done after conducting the study and obtaining the results
through statistical analysis.