FL H0685

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

Policy must be developed by a committee composed of an appropriate mix of management and nonmanagement employees, including registered nurses engaged in direct patient care; hospital may use a newly created or 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: mechanical lifting devices or engineering controls, team-based lifting approaches, employee training in safe practices, and incorporation of mechanical lifting device design in architectural plans for construction or renovation.

Committee must develop an ongoing evaluation process to measure policy effectiveness; act takes effect July 1, 2015.