Medical-Surgical

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Advancing a Safer and More Efficient Environment

Medical-Surgical floors offer a variety of diagnoses, acuity, and patient populations, varying from heart failure to diabetes and post-surgical care. Thus, tailoring how we care for each and every one of these patients is vital. Nurses in med-surg settings encounter numerous job stresses, including high rates of workplace injuries. Overexertion and lack of adequate staffing are common causes of injury. Research reveals 25-33% of nurses experience work-related musculoskeletal injuries annually.1

Post-surgical patients are at risk of wound dehiscence, increased pain, and overall decreased mobility. Using assistive devices can ultimately decrease pain, provide comfort, and ease caregiver strain.

  • Turning and Repositioning – Air assisted devices play a critical role in boosting and repositioning patients on the medical-surgical floor by enhancing patient safety and reducing caregiver strain. These devices allow for smoother, safer transfers and repositioning specifically for post-op and oncology patients as well as those with general limited mobility, all while helping prevent pressure injuries for patients and minimizing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries for healthcare workers, promoting a safer environment for both. By reducing the physical effort required to lift or adjust patients, safe patient handling tools improve overall workflow efficiency and support better patient outcomes.
  • Decreasing Number of Required Caregivers – Typically, on the medical surgical floor, certain tasks such as repositioning, boosting, basic patient care and procedures may require 2-4 caregivers. With the current nursing shortages and high nurse to patient ratios, these are becoming even more challenging. With these tools such as air-assist, non air-assist, slings, and vertical lifts, we can decrease the number of required caregivers to assist patients.
  • Fall Recovery – The ongoing staffing crisis and the high incidence of patient falls, particularly in medical-surgical units, highlight the need for effective fall recovery solutions. Addressing these falls can be challenging due to patient size and positioning challenges. Utilizing specialized fall recovery products improves patient comfort and dignity while reducing strain on caregivers.

Future Implications

The future of medical surgical nursing is predicted to use increased technological advances along with the use of AI integrated into practice. These tools aim to promote quality care while addressing the current nursing shortage.

1.Reference: Cicco, E. F., & Freeman, K. L. (2019). Risk Factors for Work-Related Injury among Registered Nurses in the United States. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 61(5), 378–383. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6502138/