Legislation to Save Nurses’ Backs

Lebanon nurses lobby for bill passage

JEFFERSON CITY – Three nurses from Lebanon went to the state Capitol on Tuesday to lobby on behalf of legislation sponsored by State Rep. Sam Page.

The legislation would help hospitals and residential care facilities purchase mechanical lift equipment used to ease the burden on nurses when lifting patients.

“We’re having a real nursing shortage in this state and country,” Page said. “It’s important that we not lose our best, most experienced nurses in the profession to injury.”

Page said 12 percent of nurses leave nursing because of back injury.  They are six times more likely to suffer back injuries than construction workers, he added.

Local nurses Teresa Ajtaji, CNA, Roberta Skinner, RN, and MedSurg Director D.D. Irish, attended a demonstration of the mechanical lift equipment in the morning in which State Rep. Steve Hodges was lifted.  All three work at St. John’s Hospital in Lebanon . The demonstration was meant to show legislators how the equipment reduces the strain on nurses.

The nurses spent the rest of their day visiting with legislators in the House Special Committee on Healthcare Transformation.  Page’s legislation is expected to come to a vote in that committee April 17.

When asked what the chances for passage of the Bill was, Rep. Page said, “Good.  It’s based on common sense.”

Her insurance company refused to pay for the specialized bed to protect Taylor at night. As soon as Tracey got a doctor’s note also recognizing that Taylor also had epilepsy, she was able to get her insurance company to help with the cost.

The equipment for the demonstration was provided by Roselle, Ill.-based ARJO, Inc. and Diligent Clinical Services.