New screening tool reduces injuries in QLD aged care

A new web app and training program is helping aged care workers reduce the risk of injury while handling people in their care. Funded by WorkCover Queensland, and piloted across a range of providers through 2021, the program saw people handling-related incidents reduced to zero across every site. Furthermore, 97% of people in the pilot reported confidence using the program’s tools. The program was developed by health experts in conjunction with Wesley Mission Queensland, CPL – Choice Passion Life, and Churches of Christ. It is billed as a tool to “provide a method to screen for changes in mobility of residents or clients, and is intended for nurses, carers and support workers who perform people handling tasks.” It comprises both an online learning module focused on functional mobility screening, and a web application which walks users through a questionnaire that can assess the mobility level of their clients and how best to help them. You can find the training material and web app here.