FL S0554

Requires hospitals to establish an evidence-based protocol for safe lifting and handling of patients by employees that minimizes injury risks to both patients and staff.

Protocol must be developed by a committee with a mix of management and nonmanagement employees, including registered nurses involved in direct patient care.

Committee must evaluate injury risk data and consider minimum strategies including employee training in safe lifting practices, use of trained teams, mechanical lifting devices, and architectural design accommodations for lifting equipment.

Requires the committee to develop an ongoing evaluation process to assess the protocol's effectiveness.

Effective date: July 1, 2014.