FL H1383

Creates section 381.029 of Florida Statutes requiring all hospitals licensed under chapter 395 to establish an evidence-based policy on safe patient lifting and handling that minimizes injury risks to patients and employees.

Policy must be developed by a committee composed of management and nonmanagement employees, including registered nurses engaged in direct patient care, either newly created or assigned to an existing committee.

Committee must use data to evaluate injury risks and determine appropriate lifting strategies based on hospital-specific patient populations and risk factors.

Committee shall consider at minimum: using mechanical lifting devices or engineering controls, team-based lifting approaches, employee training in safe practices, and incorporating mechanical lift device space in architectural plans for construction or renovation.

Committee must develop an ongoing evaluation process to measure policy effectiveness; bill takes effect July 1, 2013.