FL S0486

Requires 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 with a representative mix of management and nonmanagement employees, including registered nurses engaged in direct patient care.

Committee must evaluate injury risks using relevant data and determine appropriate lifting strategies, considering at minimum mechanical lifting devices, team lifting, employee training, and facility design accommodations.

Committee must develop an ongoing evaluation process to assess the effectiveness of the established lifting and handling policy.

Effective date is July 1, 2016.