Amador County – Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region announced last week that it is investing $3.3 million in ceiling lifts to enhance its safe patient handling program at regional hospitals, including Sutter Amador Hospital in Jackson.

Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region said it received a $3.3 million grant from Sutter Health as part of a system-wide initiative to install overhead lifts in the region’s acute care facilities. Ceiling lifts will be installed in all Intensive Care Units and Critical Care Units at Sutter Amador Hospitals, and in Trauma-Neuro ICUs and acute rehabilitation rooms at other Sutter regional affiliates.

Officials said Sutter Health affiliates are working with their design teams and the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development to obtain approval for the ceiling lift installation. As approvals are authorized, each affiliate will begin installation. Construction is scheduled to occur this spring and summer when patient census is lower.

The new lifts will be used in addition to lifts already installed or under way at several regional affiliates. The new ceiling lifts supplement existing equipment such as mobile floor lifts, sit or stand devices, smart sheets and air lateral transfer devices.

Sutter Amador Hospital CEO Anne Platt last week said: “We are committed to providing the safest and most comfortable environment for patients and staff. It has been our policy to assure a safe and secure environment of care for patients and to avoid injuries to our caregivers.”

Selection of areas to receive ceiling lifts was based on the needs of patients in those areas who frequently require more patient mobilization and lifting. One of the goals was to promote more movement of those patients while creating less friction when moving them between surfaces. Ceiling lifts in these areas complement the work clinical teams are already doing to care for patients.

Registered Nurse Pat Adams, Director of the Critical Care Department at Sutter Amador Hospital said hospital officials are very excited about getting ceiling lifts, which “will add to our resources for caring for patients and keeping everyone safe.”

Sutter Health officials said it “has long recognized the importance of employee safety and the risk associated with back and musculoskeletal injuries in nursing.” This knowledge provided the drive to create and grow a safe mobilization and repositioning techniques program within its affiliates. Sutter Health seeks a proactive approach to help provide a safe environment for its employees and patients, and keep its affiliates ahead of regulatory changes and requirements.

Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region affiliates include Sutter Amador Hospital, Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, Sutter Davis Hospital, Sutter Medical Center Sacramento, Sutter Roseville Medical Center and Sutter Solano Medical Center.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.