Team-based risk assessment and action plans as participatory methods for safe patient handling in two Swedish municipal care homes for the elderly.

OBJECTIVE We investigated the usefulness of a team-based risk assessment method in patient transfer situations in municipal care homes for the elderly. METHODS Evaluation of risk assessment and action plans carried out in 2009. Focus group interviews with care givers and one-to-one interviews with managers and occupational therapists. RESULTS The evaluation showed that action plans and interventions were developed for each resident with identified risk connected with movement/transfer in daily life. Twenty-six patients (28%) of a total number of 94 were assigned to the "no risk" category regarding movement/transfer situations in daily life. The other 68 patients (72%) required further interventions, which were documented in action plans. The interviews indicated that the approach of team-based risk assessment and action plans was perceived as a functional participatory method aiming to improve daily life and work. CONCLUSION Systematic team-based risk assessment and action plans benefit staff as well as residents at care homes for the elderly.