There is a body of literature, from the NIOSH lifting equitation, with Tom Waters, through safe patient handling program management stuff suggesting a 35 pound limit given the vagaries of patient floppiness...

From: MCOH-EH <mcoh-eh-bounces@mylist.net> on behalf of Dr Joe Fanucchi <drjoe@meditrax.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2018 3:09:30 AM
To: MCOH/EH
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] PT EVALS

Forwarded from Cathy Senior:

On 6/26/2018 12:35 PM, Senior, Cathy (Employee Health) wrote:

I am interested in how many hospitals do pre-place physical therapy evaluations on pre hire candidates. Could you please tell me if you perform these evals and how many pounds the pre-place candidate needs to lift? We do physical therapy evaluations on pre-place assessments that are going to be in direct patient care. The lifting requirement is 50 pounds for our facility. I am wondering if we should continue to do them as I am not sure of the advantage of having them done. We have done them for the past 10 years and no one has been rejected even if they cannot lift the 50 pound requirement. Some have refused due to pregnancy and have returned after their term to do the physical therapy eval piece, however we have let them work without passing the pt eval. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Cathy Senior RN BSN CDE

Employee Health Director

Penn Highlands DuBois

100 Hospital Avenue

P.O. Box 447

DuBois Pa 15801

Phone 814-375-3392

Fax 814-372-2610

cesenior@phhealthcare.org

www.phhealthcare.org