Validity and reliability of the HEMPA method for patient handling assessment

Abstract

Specific methods currently exist to assess occupational hazards resulting from patient handling in the healthcare sector, according to ISO/TR 12296. They are all similar in nature, but with a different analysis perspective; for that reason a comparison of the most relevant methods was performed in a previous research. As a result, a basis of a new tool that integrates the complementary aspects of those methods was proposed. To verify the validity and reliability of that method, a study within a hospital setting was carried out in five medical and surgical units of a public health institution. Based on the obtained results, the analysed method (called HEMPA) proved to be valid and reliable. Also, this method reflects a positive correlation between risk and damage and correctly quantifies risks regarding patient's dependence.