Safe Patient Handling Program Recognized Nationally
Posted on Apr 2, 2013
By St. Luke's, Duluth MN
It's official: St. Luke's is a national leader when it comes to
creating a safe work environment.
That's according to the American Psychological Association (APA), which
has recognized St. Luke's, based in Duluth, Minnesota, as one of nine
2013 Best Practice Honorees for the health system's Safe Patient Handling
Initiative.
Steps taken by St. Luke's Safe Patient Handling Committee helped to
reduce employee injuries and worker's compensation claims for five
consecutive years, despite an increase in the total number of employees
over the same period.
The award will be presented to Human Resources Director Marla Halvorson
and HR representative Shawn Burns at a ceremony in Washington DC on Saturday, March 9.
"Typically, you are going to see a slight increase with your number
of workplace injuries with any increase in the number of employees,"
said Ms. Halvorson. "A trend like this is really unheard of, and
to have some recognition that we are doing something unique is great."
Over the same five-year period, a reduction in St. Luke's worker's
compensation costs has also helped the organization see significant savings.
"Those are dollars that go to the patient's bedside for patient
care, which helps us focus on our mission – to put the patient above
all else," said Ms. Halvorson.
The national recognition comes one year after the Minnesota Psychological
Association presented St. Luke's with a Psychologically Healthy Workplace
Award, forwarding St. Luke's application on for consideration at the
national level.
"Forward-thinking employers such as St. Luke's are taking steps
to create a positive work environment where employees can thrive,"
says David W. Ballard, PsyD, MBA, head of APA's Center for Organizational
Excellence. "In turn, employees are more engaged and committed to
the organization's success. This shared responsibility for creating
a psychologically healthy workplace promotes an organizational culture
that values well-being and performance and delivers results on both sides
of the equation."