Francis Williams, Village North Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center CNA, lifted resident Dorothy Bekemeier and gently placed her in her bed -- without touching her.

It was no trick. Williams was operating a full-body lift machine that safely supported Bekemeier in a sling as she was moved.

Down the hall, Vivian Sucher was being lifted out of her seat by a standing lift, while Gloria Daniels, CNA, operated the controls. The full-body lifts for immobile residents, and standing lifts for residents who are partially weight bearing, are used to help transfer residents out of bed, to the bathroom, to a chair or to a bath.

The National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH) was filming Bekemeier, Williams, Sucher and Daniels for a recruitment video. BJC's ergonomics team was recently honored with a National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Partnering Award for worker health and safety for their best practices program that included these state-of-the-art lifting devices, training in lifting techniques and medical management of injured workers at BJCs five long-term care facilities.

And, like all great actors, the residents didn't seem to mind doing "takes" over again for the video.

But while the awards, honors and recognition are gratifying, the employees at Village North are happy about how the machines save their backs.

"These lifts have made it easier to transfer our residents without straining our arms or hurting our backs," says Daniels.

According to research by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), long-term care workers suffer 51 percent of their injuries while handling residents. And back injuries account for 42 percent of all long-term care employee injuries, compared with 27 percent of all injuries in the private sector.

Safety is the primary purpose for using the device. And that extra measure of safety also extends to the residents who are being moved. With the lifting devices the residents are supported by sturdy, protective equipment rather the strength of a caregiver's back. And, according to Williams, there is less chance of tears to the frail skin of residents.

"We are very proud of the staff," says Jean DeCamp, director of nursing. "They use these lifts faithfully and don't have to be reminded. They know we care about their safety and the safety of our residents, and there have been no work-related injuries since we have been using this equipment."

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