Elements of a Successful MSIPP
Some components you might consider including in your MSIPP are the following:
- Pre-employment screening;
- Initial orientation training;
- Routine staff training;
- Ancillary staff training;
- Peer support; and
- Injury identification and rehabilitation.
Pre-employment screening should include an evaluation of the potential employee's ability to meet all of the physical challenges of the job. If you don't have a job description that delineates the physical responsibilities, consider adding a section on the physical demands.
MSIPP Components
Ancillary staff training: Ancillary staff will receive ergonomic training based on their job description and a review of the importance of healthy lifestyle choices at least once per year. Staff will be encouraged to incorporate stretching and strengthening into their daily routine.
Training of EMS personnel: Staff will review the techniques of body mechanics and the importance of healthy lifestyle choices at least once per year. Staff will be encouraged to incorporate stretching and strengthening into their daily routine.
Peer support team member and supervisor training: Peer support team members and supervisors will receive an advanced body mechanics training course once per year to teach them how to immediately identify and correct any poor body mechanic techniques they observe in staff. Providing such feedback will reduce the likelihood of injury and integrate the proper techniques into daily routines, thereby providing a safer work environment for all employees.
Student training: Initial back safety training will be provided to students during EMS training.
Injury investigation: Refer to the King County Medic One Accident Prevention Plan.
KC back safety video: Videos/DVDs will be viewed by all paramedic staff at least once per year.
Training
Presented by a qualified health-care professional, training topics and practical lessons include the following:
1. Importance of back safety;
2. Anatomy of the spine and proper posture;
3. Resting positions at work and at home; correct sitting and standing; correct lifting, carrying, moving and use of adjunct equipment;
4. Correct body mechanics in a variety of routine situations. Practice of good body mechanics while performing job-specific activities and work-site situations;
5. The importance of physical fitness, good nutrition, stretching and healthy lifestyle choices;
6. The role of stress and exhaustion in injury; and
7. The importance of adequate rehabilitation following an injury.
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Source: Barbara Dailey, Jems.com
