Sutter Health Invests $11.5 Million in Patient Safety Equipment

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, not-for-profit Sutter Health announces an $11.5 million commitment to install overhead patient lifts at 19 intensive care units and acute rehabilitation centers across its Northern California network. Three years ago, the network invested an initial $11.5 million to install overhead lifts at 21 affiliate sites.

Overhead patient lifts make repositioning and moving patients easier, safer and less strenuous for caregivers. Initial outcomes from Sutter-affiliated hospitals with overhead lifts show that employee injuries from lifting and repositioning patients have dropped by more than 50 percent since 2011. The not-for-profit network anticipates even better outcomes as it installs additional lifts and employees become more familiar with using them.

"The decision to invest in overhead patient lifts helps us provide a safe work environment for employees," said Dan Perrot, Sutter Health's director of Employee Health and Safety. "We value our employees and want them to have long, productive careers. The investment also reflects our concern and compassion for our patients."

The lifts enhance patient safety and clinical quality by allowing employees to turn and move patients in a manner that reduces risks of patients developing painful skin ulcers or experiencing falls. And the lifts allow physical therapy staff to provide early mobilization therapy to patients in intensive care units—a proven way to advance recovery.

"We've long focused on creating the safest possible environment for patients and employees," Perrot continued. "The lifts supplement existing safety programs and equipment already in place across our network, such as mobile floor lifts, sit/stand devices and patient mobilization programs."

Today's investment announcement brings Sutter Health's total commitment to install overhead patient lifts across its network to $23 million. This significant investment funds the installation of 1,036 lifts at the following affiliates across Sutter Health's Northern California network:

Greater Bay Area
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center (Oakland)
Eden Medical Center (Castro Valley)
Sutter Delta Medical Center (Antioch)
California Pacific Medical Center (San Francisco)
Novato Community Hospital
Sutter Medical Center of Santa Rosa
Mills-Peninsula Health Services (Burlingame)

Greater Sacramento Valley and Foothills
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
Sutter Davis Hospital
Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital
Sutter Roseville Medical Center
Sutter Amador Hospital
Sutter Solano Medical Center (Vallejo)

Central Valley
Memorial Medical Center (Modesto)
Memorial Hospital Los Banos
Sutter Tracy Community Hospital

North Coast
Sutter Coast Hospital (Crescent City)

Clear Lake
Sutter Lakeside Hospital (Lakeport)

About Sutter Health
Serving patients and their families in more than 100 Northern California cities and towns, Sutter Health doctors, not-for-profit hospitals and other health care service providers share resources and expertise to advance health care quality and access. The Sutter Medical Network includes many of California's top-performing, highest quality physician organizations as measured annually by the Integrated Healthcare Association. Sutter-affiliated hospitals are regional leaders in cardiac care, women's and children's services, cancer care, orthopedics and advanced patient safety technology.

For more information about the not-for-profit Sutter Health network, please visit:
SutterHealth.org/about/ | www.Facebook.com/SutterHealth | www.YouTube.com/SutterHealth | www.twitter.com/SutterHealth

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SOURCE Sutter Health